Emergency Department Visits Involving Narcotic Pain Relievers

Excerpt

Background: Narcotic pain relievers can have serious health consequences when taken without medical supervision, in larger amounts than prescribed, or in combination with alcohol or other medications. This report highlights characteristics and trends from 2005 to 2011 for emergency department (ED) visits made as a result of the nonmedical use of narcotic pain relievers. Method: National estimates of ED visits involving the nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals, where narcotic pain relievers were involved in the visit, were analyzed using data from the 2005 to 2011 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). We examined trends for the primary narcotic pain relievers, other types of drugs that were combined with the narcotic pain relievers, and demographic characteristics of the patients. Results: ED visits that resulted from the nonmedical use of narcotic pain relievers increased 117 percent from 168,379 visits in 2005 to 366,181 visits in 2011. Recent trends, however, show that the number of visits was becoming more stable, with no change between 2008 and 2011. The highest rate of nonmedical use-related ED visits was for patients aged 26 to 34. Conclusion: Over the 7-year period from 2005 to 2011, ED visits as a result of the nonmedical use of narcotic pain relievers increased initially, but then leveled off between 2009 and 2011. This may indicate that policy changes and educational campaigns are working. Prevention and education campaigns should continue to focus on the dangers of sharing prescription medications and methods for safe storage and disposal of unused medication. Discouraging certain drug combinations may also help diminish the need for emergency care.