Resumen de Labeling Changes Promoting Safe Use of Long-Acting Opioids

Diane S. Aschenbrenner

• * The labeling of extended-release and long-acting opioid analgesics has been revised to warn practitioners that the drugs have been associated with misuse, abuse, life-threatening respiratory depression, accidental exposure, neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, and (with some drugs) serious drug interactions with alcohol.

  * The labeling will also state that long-acting opioids should only be used if other pain relief methods aren't effective.