A pharmacist-led opioid de-escalation program after completion of chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer

Background Persistent opioid use frequently leads to substantial negative impacts on quality of life, and as the outlook for numerous cancer types continues improve, these complications become increasingly crucial. It is essential acknowledge that extended or excessive may result in adverse effects patients who completed radiation therapy (RT). Methods In this time-series analysis, we compared outcomes participated pharmacist-led de-escalation (PLODE) program after completing concurrent radiotherapy (CRT) between June 2018 February 2019 against CRT 2017 March did not participate program. Results Among 61 patients, 16 (26%) used opioids PLODE Before starting program, 93 32 (34%) at completion. These were deemed control group. group, outpatient pharmacist intervention was performed, with 29 total interventions related use, which (55%) recommended tapering discontinuing according definition Patients discontinued significantly earlier than those group (median time discontinuation 11 days vs. 24.5 days, p < 0.001). None resumed following escalated dosing due worsening pain. Conclusion This study showed utility pharmacist-initiated head neck had CRT.