I'm looking for a pocket guide that would give me doses/side effects of the common nsaids, adjuncts, opioids as i start my new job. Anyone know of such book?
Thanx Gauss,
I use epocrotes for looking up meds i know, but i am sure there are nsaids/adjuncts that i haven't tried yet.
In my outpatient time during resdency, my attendings didn't do med management (don't ask!) so i feel a little behind in that area
Something like the MGH Pain Handbook might be useful. You raise a great question: how do I learn what I need to know about a drug I have not used clinically before?
my 0.02:
package insert (doesn't take you long to read and will give the low down on side effects, interactions)
pain review course/conference- always lectures on nsaids, adjunctive meds, opioids, etc.
not sure what kind of gig you have but beware that PMR is a popular dumping ground and if you are a 'green horn" you may be targeted by collegues as an opioid dumping ground and by pts looking for a soft target.
opioids: in brief, think long and hard before Rx'ing for the long term in the setting of non-cancer pain and if you are non-confident with this class you are better of being too strict than too loose. Use a collegue who is pain trained for curbsides and consults when in doubt.
THanks for your reply. I'm going to get the handbook and try to get over my fear of prescribing things I have not before.
I don't plan on being a dumping ground- will be at an academic place where there are plenty of pain people. My pain plan will be NSAIDS, adjuncts,v limited opiods. It's not just not wanting to be a dumping ground, I just think that if someone has a high opioid requirement, they are better served by a trained pain specialist.
THanks for your reply. I'm going to get the handbook and try to get over my fear of prescribing things I have not before.
I don't plan on being a dumping ground- will be at an academic place where there are plenty of pain people. My pain plan will be NSAIDS, adjuncts,v limited opiods. It's not just not wanting to be a dumping ground, I just think that if someone has a high opioid requirement, they are better served by a trained pain specialist.