Term: Opioids

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2015-01-29

Definition:

Opioids are a group of medications that are used in the symptomatic treatment of acute and chronic pain, and also as cough medications (Repchinsky, 2009; Krenzischek, Dunwoody, Polomano, & Rathmell, 2008; Dy et al., 2008). There is a risk of dependence and addiction with prescription opioids (Repchinsky, 2009; Byrne, Lander, & Ferris, 2009).

Additional Information

• In Martens et al. (2010), opioids were identified using the following ATC codes: N02A, N07BC02, R05DA01, R05DA03-R05DA06, R05DA12, R05DA20, R05FA01, and R05FA02.
  
  
• see Table 2.2 in Chateau et al. (2015) for examples of the opioids associated with the quality indicators used in this study.

Related terms 

• Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Drug Classification System
• Opioid Defined Daily Doses (DDDs)
• Opioid Prescriptions
• Psychotropics
• Quality Indicator (QI) - IMPRxOVE Program
• Repeated Opioid Prescriptions

References 

• Byrne MH, Lander L, Ferris M. The changing face of opioid addiction: Prescription pain pill dependence and treatment. Health Soc Work 2009;34(1):53-56. [Abstract] (View)
• Dy SM, Asch SM, Naeim A, Sanati H, Walling A, Lorenz KA. Evidence-based standards for cancer pain management. J Clin Oncol 2008;26(23):3879-3885. [Abstract] (View)
• Krenzischek DA, Dunwoody CJ, Polomano RC, Rathmell JP. Pharmacotherapy for acute pain: Implications for practice. J Perianesth Nurs 2008;23(Suppl 1):S28-S42. [Abstract] (View)
• Repchinsky C (ed). Opiods. Compendium of pharmaceuticals and specialties, online version (e-CPS), Canadian Pharmacists Associaton. 2009.(View)

Term used in 

• Chateau D, Enns M, Ekuma O, Koseva I, McDougall C, Kulbaba C, Allegro E. Evaluation of the Manitoba IMPRxOVE Program. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2015. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Martens PJ, Bartlett J, Burland E, Prior H, Burchill C, Huq S, Romphf L, Sanguins J, Carter S, Bailly A. Profile of Metis Health Status and Healthcare Utilization in Manitoba: A Population-Based Study. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2010. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] [Additional Materials] (View)