Module 4: Therapeutics
Module 4
Introduction
According to the National Advisory Council on Prescription Drug Misuse, Canada has become the “world’s second-largest per-capita consumer” of prescription opioids (2013, p. 1). There is considerable controversy, however, about the efficacy of opioids and sedatives in the treatment of pain, anxiety, and insomnia in non-life-threating conditions and in chronic non-cancer conditions. In many situations, it is important to seek non-pharmacologic and non-controlled substance alternatives prior to making a decision to prescribe a CDS. This module examines when and how to prescribe CDS safely and appropriately. It also discusses how to taper CDS in the therapeutic management of patients.
Learning outcomes
Each lesson in Module 4 addresses one of the following learning outcomes:
- Make informed decisions regarding when to prescribe CDS.
- Articulate the principles of safe and appropriate prescribing of CDS.
- Write a prescription that contains the necessary elements for safety and appropriateness.
- Articulate approaches to trials, tapering, and rotation of CDS in therapeutic management of pain, anxiety, insomnia, and ADHD.
National Advisory Council on Prescription Drug Misuse. (2013). First Do No Harm: Responding to Canada’s Prescription Drug Crisis.
