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APRIL 11, 2019

FDA: High Risk for Suicide From Abrupt Opioid Discontinuation


By David Wild

Patients with a physical dependence on opioids can suffer worsening or uncontrolled pain, psychological distress, or have an increased risk for suicide if their opioids are discontinued abruptly or the dose is reduced too quickly, the FDA said in a recent safety communication

The communication referred to an unspecified number of reports that the FDA has received describing serious harm when opioids are stopped too quickly. 
The agency requested that manufacturers change