A Pilot Convenience Survey of Clinicians’ Perception of the Desirability of a Lower Dose Option of an Opioid Analgesic: Hydrocodone as an Example

TL;DR

This survey explores clinicians' interest in a lower-dose hydrocodone option to improve pain management and reduce opioid risks.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into clinicians' perceived benefits of lower-dose hydrocodone for safer and more flexible opioid use.

Findings

A high interest in a 7.5 mg hydrocodone formulation was reported, with an average rating of 7.9 out of 10.

Flexible dosing was the most cited benefit, followed by fewer adverse events and reduced fear of opioid use disorder.

About one-third of respondents identified all three benefits as important for a lower-dose option.

Abstract

Healthcare providers (HCPs) need to balance the need for effective analgesia with opioids against the risks associated with opioid therapy. As just one example, current formulations of one of the most commonly prescribed opioids in the United States (hydrocodone) are limited to a minimum strength of 10 mg. However, in clinical settings, providers often encounter patients who may benefit from more individualized and flexible dosing options. A lower-dose opioid formulation might be desirable: to help optimize pain control, reduce adverse events, or ease concerns about opioid-related abuse risks. To better understand provider perspectives, prescribing practices, and the perceived benefits of lower-dose opioid options, a targeted survey of healthcare professionals was conducted. The goal was to capture real-world insights into current opioid pain management options and evaluate the potential role of a lower dosage strength. In order to ground the survey in the participant’s clinical experience, a specific example was chosen. The objective of the current survey was to assess healthcare providers’ perspectives on current opioid analgesic prescribing practices and, as a practical example, to specifically evaluate interest in a potential lower-dose (7.5 mg) hydrocodone formulation. The survey included physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other clinicians. The results of the survey indicated a high interest in a lower-dose hydrocodone formulation, with an average rating of 7.9 out of a possible 10, with nearly two-thirds of participants selecting a rating of 9 or 10 out of a possible 10. The respondents identified the key perceived benefits of the availability of a lower dose as follows: more flexible dosing (20 (42%)), fewer adverse events (11 (23%)), and less fear of causing opioid use disorder (OUD) (2 (4%)). About one-third of respondents (17 (35%)) indicated that all three were perceived benefits. These findings suggest that expanding opioid dosing options could support individualized pain management strategies across a range of specialties. Further research in larger and more diverse provider populations is warranted to confirm these insights and guide potential recommendations and implementation.

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