Opioid Use in Children

Limited guidance on opioid use exists in the pediatric population, causing medication safety concerns for pain management in children and adolescents. Opioid misuse and opioid use disorder continue to greatly affect adolescents and young adults in the United States, furthering the apprehension of their use. The Pediatric Pharmacy Association (PPA) recommends that pharmacists contribute their knowledge to pain management in children, including discussing the appropriate use of non-opioid alternatives for pain and when to recommend co-prescribing naloxone. The PPA also supports the review of electronic prescription drug monitoring programs before opioid prescribing and dispensing by both prescribers and pharmacists, respectively. Education by pharmacists of children and their families regarding proper administration, storage, and disposal, as well as the awareness of opioid misuse and use disorder among adolescents and young adults, is key to prevention. If opioid use disorder is diagnosed, PPA encourages improved access among adolescents to evidence-based medications, including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Furthermore, pharmacists should assist with, or in some settings perform, screening and referral to evidence-based treatments.