Practice points

When prescribing regular analgesia for continuous pain, discuss and resolve any concerns about taking opioids, including:

• addiction
• tolerance
• short and long term side effects
• fears that treatment implies the final stages of life.

Provide information (verbal and written) to the patient:

• when and why strong opioids are used to treat pain
• how effective they are likely to be
• background and breakthrough pain management
• signs of toxicity
• strong pain killers and driving, refer to NHS Inform page on driving
• follow up plans