With a new guide to tapering opioids, federal officials seek a balanced approach to prescribing

Federal officials just released new guidelines to help physicians slowly taper patients from taking opioid medications. Physicians everywhere are being encouraged to reduce opioid prescriptions in the wake of the epidemic, which led to the deaths of 47,000 people in 2017 alone. Previous guidelines for dramatically cutting back on opioids were considered unsafe for some patients, while some providers may have abandoned patients altogether. Instead, the new document urges physicians to reassure patients that they will be supported throughout the tapering process. The first few pages of the new guidelines also outline the risks of rapidly cutting back, including withdrawal symptoms or patients seeking out drugs illegally. “It is a false choice to say we can only limit opioid use disorder, or addiction, or have pain control,” Dr. Brett Giroir, an assistant secretary at HHS told reporters.