MHRA Removes Post‑Operative Pain Indication for All Prolonged‑Release Opioids

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has removed the indication for the treatment of post‑operative pain from the licences of all prolonged‑release opioid medicines. The decision was taken because of an increased risk of persistent post‑operative opioid use (PPOU) and opioid‑induced ventilatory complications. The agency advises healthcare professionals to consider alternative analgesic strategies for post‑operative pain management and to be vigilant about the potential for long‑term opioid dependence and respiratory depression when prescribing prolonged‑release formulations.