The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published guidelines for safely prescribing opioids to children with acute pain, aiming to reduce the risk of addiction and overdose. The guidelines recommend starting with the lowest dose, using other medications in combination with opioids, and utilizing alternative pain management strategies. The guidelines also address safe storage and disposal of opioids, training caregivers to recognize potential overdose symptoms, and restricting certain opioids for specific age groups. The AAP hopes the guidelines will provide a standardized approach to prescribing opioids, reducing disparities in pain management among different patient demographics. The guidelines emphasize believing patients when they report pain and were developed in response to the opioid crisis affecting children and teens.
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AAP Guidelines for Safe Prescriptions
