Opioid Use and Overdose in Patients With Solid Tumor Cancers

In this cohort study of adults with solid tumor cancers, opioid overdose was rare and highest in the first year after diagnosis and in patients with advanced cancer; opioid overdose risk increased with every month high-dose opioids were prescribed. The findings suggest that opioids should be prescribed at the lowest effective dose for symptom management, with close monitoring and routine assessment for opioid overdose risk.

Corresponding Author: Jenny Lau, MD, MSc, CCFP, Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 10-032, 620 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada (jenny.lau@uhn.ca).

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