When initiating opioid therapy for chronic pain, what type of opioids should clinicians prescribe?

When initiating opioid therapy for chronic pain, clinicians typically prescribe immediate-release opioids. This approach allows for the careful titration of dosage to find the most effective pain relief with minimal side effects. Immediate-release formulations provide quick analgesia and enable clinicians to adjust dosages based on the patient's response.

Using immediate-release opioids is particularly important during the initial phase of treatment, as it allows for monitoring of effectiveness and any potential adverse effects in a controlled manner. Once an effective dose is established and the patient's pain management needs are better understood, the clinician might then consider transitioning to extended-release or long-acting formulations for ongoing therapy, if indicated.

In contrast, the other options involve modifications or alternative forms of opioids that are generally not the first line of treatment when starting opioid therapy. Slow-release and extended-release formulations, while beneficial for ongoing pain management, carry a higher risk for overmedication and side effects if not carefully monitored during the initiation phase.