Recorded Course: Opioids, Cannabinoids and Gabapentenoids: Defining the Best Pharmacological Practice Model for the Treatment of Pain

Recorded Course: Opioids, Cannabinoids and Gabapentenoids: Defining the Best Pharmacological Practice Model for the Treatment of Pain is organized by University Learning Systems (ULS).

Released: 2020-11-16
Expires: 2023-11-16

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the burden of opioid misuse and abuse on the individual and society.
• Differentiate addiction, physical dependency, tolerance, and hyperalgesia.
• Describe the similarities and differences in the mechanism of action for opioids, cannabinoids, and gabapentenoids.
• Compare and contrast the current best practice model for the use of opioids, cannabinoids, and gabapentenoids in a) acute postoperative pain; b) chronic low back pain; c) neuropathic pain; d) fibromyalgia; e) end-of-life pain crisis.
• Identify typical characteristics of patients who would be identified as “high risk”, "moderate risk" and "low risk" for misusing, abusing, or diverting opioids.
• Describe the best practice model for properly monitoring patients on opioids.
• Describe how a provider should counsel patients who are started on opioids to minimize the risks of adverse reactions, over-dosage, and inappropriate compliance.
• Identify examples of opioid products that have “abuse-deterrent” technology and be able to recommend to prescribers how these products could be utilized to improve patient and community safety.
• Compare and contrast the most common cannabinoids found in marijuana with regard to their benefits and risks in managing pain.
• Compare and contrast the following gabapentenoids with respect to their benefits and risks in managing pain: a) gabapentin (Neurontin); b) Horizant; c) Gralise; and, d) Lyrica.
• Describe the risks of combining opioids with a) benzodiazepines; b) alcohol; c) gabapentenoids; and, d) cannabinoids.
• Describe the role of naloxone in preventing deaths from overdosages.