We are seeing devastating consequences for individuals,
families and communities as a result of the opioid crisis
Dr. Jeff Sisler, Executive Director, Profes-
sional Development and Practice Support
with the College of Family Physicians of
Canada. “We are pleased to support the
Opioid Wisely recommendations that
encourage more discussion between patients
and their health-care providers to explore
other options for pain management.”
Dr. Laurent Marcoux, President of the
Canadian Medical Association, says the more
information patients and prescribers have, the
better the outcome will be.
“As providers of care, we want to have a key
role in ensuring the evidence-based use of
these medications to keep Canadians safe,” he
said.
Twelve organizations have already released opioid-related recommendations, as of the Opioid Wisely launch
on March 1. These include the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Society of Internal Medi-
cine, and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Below we publish the recommenda-
tions from the College of Family Physicians of Canada. To learn more about the Opioid Wisely campaign, and
to view the complete set of recommendations and patient materials, visit ChoosingWiselyCanada.org/opioid-
wisely. Additional recommendations will be released in the near future.
Family Medicine Recommendations (the College of Family Physicians of Canada)
Don’t continue opioid analgesia beyond the immedi-
ate postoperative period or other episode of acute,
severe pain.
The immediate postoperative period or acute episodes
of pain typically refers to a time period
of three days or less, and rarely more
than seven days. Prescribe the lowest
effective dose and number of doses
required to address the expected
pain. This recommendation
does not apply to individu-
als already on long-term
or chronic opioids or opi-
oid agonist treatment.
Don’t initiate opioids long-term for chronic pain
until there has been a trial of available non-phar-
macological treatments and adequate trials of non-
opioid medications.
Depending on the pain mechanism and patient co-mor-
bidities, this can include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)