The fact that opioids are valuable tools for the management of pain has been known and used for thousands of years. Currently, millions of Americans are treated annually with opioids, and many of these patients are elderly. Opioids present risks to geriatric patients, some of which are unique to the population, and providers should have a good grasp of those risks. An understanding of how to select appropriate medications for the management of pain and of the myriad of alternatives available for pain management is vital to the care of older patients. This article presents a review, for primary care providers, of issues unique to opioid management in older adults.

阿片类药物是控制疼痛的重要工具这一事实已为人所知，并且已经使用了数千年。目前，每年有数以百万计的美国人接受阿片类药物的治疗，其中许多患者是老年人。阿片类药物给老年患者带来风险，其中一些是人群所特有的，医务人员应充分了解这些风险。了解如何选择合适的药物来治疗疼痛以及无数种可用于疼痛治疗的替代方法，对于老年患者的护理至关重要。本文介绍了针对初级保健提供者的老年人阿片类药物管理所特有的问题。