Elderly patients who are prescribed opioids after minor surgery are 44 percent likely to become addicted to them in the year following the procedure, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
The study looked at nearly 28,000 people age 66 or older who were given opioids in the week following minor surgical procedures, and nearly 10 percent of the patients were still using opioids --- primarily oxycodone and codeine --- one year after the operations.
The authors of the study suggested that physicians first try non-opioid pain relievers after minor surgery, and if necessary, prescribe a light dosage of opioids to start.
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The study looked at nearly 28,000 people age 66 or older who were given opioids in the week following minor surgical procedures, and nearly 10 percent of the patients were still using opioids --- primarily oxycodone and codeine --- one year after the operations.
The authors of the study suggested that physicians first try non-opioid pain relievers after minor surgery, and if necessary, prescribe a light dosage of opioids to start.
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