Prescribing Chronic Opioid Therapy in Noncancer Patients Experiencing Chronic Pain: Legal and Practice Considerations

This article reviews a selected group of recent nurse practitioner cases that have their genesis in prescription medications, particularly opioids. Additionally, the authors discuss a multidisciplinary, evidence-based standard that may assist nurse practitioners who are considering prescribing chronic opioid therapy (COT). The article concludes with recent federal initiatives related to COT, as well as new medications that can be used with patients on COT.