Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain

This guideline provides recommendations for primary care providers who prescribe opioids for chronic pain outside of active cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care. It includes information on: 

• Deciding when to start or continue opioids for chronic pain 
• Selecting opioid type, dosage, and duration
• Assessing the risks of opioid use
• Dealing with harms related to opioid use

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention used a framework to develop the guideline and made recommendations based on scientific evidence plus consideration of benefits and harms, values and preferences, and resources.