AAP Offers Guidance for Tapering of Opioids to Prevent Withdrawal in Children

Follow Drugslib on

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 19, 2025.

via HealthDay

TUESDAY, Aug. 19, 2025 -- A plan for tapering opioids should be developed to minimize withdrawal symptoms in children receiving opioids for five or more days, according to a clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published online Aug. 18 in Pediatrics.

Adam C. Adler, M.D., from Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, and colleagues address screening for symptoms of iatrogenic opioid withdrawal as well as mechanisms for opioid withdrawal prevention.

The authors note that the signs and symptoms associated with withdrawal in the pediatric population are relatively consistent, with the primary manifestation often being neuropsychiatric symptoms. Commonly seen physiologic changes include increased muscle tone, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Withdrawal symptoms can be experienced with opioid administration of five or more days; providers should consider preemptively tapering opioids if prescribing opioids for five or more days. A plan to taper the opioid while minimizing withdrawal symptoms should be developed; the plan should include patient support structure and be guided by the patient's primary care physician. Behavioral therapy may be a useful part of any weaning program. For patients with ongoing analgesia needs, nonopioid analgesics can be beneficial and can reduce opioid requirements. Physical or occupational therapy should form part of the treatment plan. Common pitfalls in tapering opioids include a schedule that is too rapid, failure to reassess and individualize the schedule, or inadequately accounting for analgesic needs. Weaning can be complicated by nonrecognition of withdrawal symptoms or attribution of unrelated symptoms to withdrawal.

"Prescription opioid use is prevalent in both pediatric inpatient and outpatient settings. Abrupt discontinuation of opioids can lead to drug-specific withdrawal symptoms," the authors write. "For patients receiving prolonged opioid therapy (more than five days), it is best to develop a plan to taper the opioid therapy while minimizing withdrawal symptoms."

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2025-08-20 06:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords