Opioid use disorder
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Opioids are effective in treating pain; however, their use does not come without risks. In addition to their analgesic properties, opioids activate the reward pathway in the brain, causing a euphoria or "high." Regular, repeated use of opioids leads to tolerance and dependence. Unfortunately, at high doses or when combined with other substances, opioids can cause potentially fatal respiratory depression (see opioid overdose). Prior to prescribing opioids, health care providers should carefully consider their associated risks and benefits. Resources for opioid prescribing guidelines, as well as nonopioid alternatives, can be found here.
Per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, in the United States, the first wave of opioid overdose deaths involved prescription opioids and began with increased prescribing of opioids in the 1990s. This was followed by abuse and fatalities associated with the proliferation of nonprescription opioids. The opioid epidemic continues to evolve in the United States – per the CDC, the US is currently in the third wave of opioid overdose deaths, as the majority of overdose deaths are now attributable to synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, as opposed to heroin or prescription opioids. In 2019, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated 1.6 million people (aged 12 and older) in the United States meet the criteria for opioid use disorder (OUD).
Patients who are physiologically dependent on opioid pain medications and unable to obtain prescriptions legally may pursue opioids through alternate means. Persons using diverted opioids or street drugs face a greater risk of overdose and death due to inconsistency of strength / dosage, drug interactions, or contamination of supply.
Opioid withdrawal syndrome may present with profuse sweating, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, fever, anxiety, and lacrimation. The severity of withdrawal symptoms can be quantified using the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS). For discussion of withdrawal symptoms in neonates due to maternal use of opioids during pregnancy, see neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Note: Patients with substance use disorder (SUD) are at an increased risk of suicide, and children of parents with SUDs are at increased risk for neglect and/or abuse.
Codes
ICD10CM:F11.20 – Opioid dependence, uncomplicated
SNOMEDCT:
5602001 – Opioid abuse
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Polysubstance use disorder – Patients using opioids are at risk for other substance use disorders; intoxication / overdose from other drugs or medications.
- Seizure – Consider as an alternative cause of loss of consciousness.
- Possible other causes of altered mental status / unresponsiveness – hypoglycemia, hypoxic or hypercarbic respiratory failure, cerebrovascular accident, head trauma, diabetic ketoacidosis, cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, hepatic encephalopathy, uremia, dementia, delirium, and severe sepsis
- Endocarditis – IV drug users are at increased risk for bloodborne infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection (MRSA), that may result in endocarditis.
- Skin / soft tissue infections
- HIV / AIDS
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Syphilis
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Reviewed:08/15/2022
Last Updated:11/08/2022
Last Updated:11/08/2022