This prospective cohort study found that many outpatients treated at a chronic pain clinic were willing to voluntarily taper opioid medications. Although nearly 40% of patients dropped out of the study, those that remained significantly reduced their opioid dosing. The authors suggest that offering a voluntary gradual opioid taper to patients with chronic pain may reduce their opioid dose.

Concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines increases risk for adverse drug events. This retrospective analysis of medical claims found that the risk of emergency department visit was greater for patients with concurrent use of these two medication classes compared to patients on opioids alone. This finding supports the recommendation to avoid coprescribing these two medication classes.