Patterns of storage, use, and disposal of opioids among cancer patients presenting to the emergency center.

Abstract

184 Background: Approximately 75% of prescription opioid abusers obtain the drug from an acquaintance. Improper opioid storage, use, and disposal along with lack of patient education may lead to increased availability of the drug for abuse by others. Our aim was to determine the opioid storage, use, and disposal patterns in patients presenting to the emergency center (EC) of a comprehensive cancer center. Methods: We surveyed 113 cancer patients receiving opioids for at least 2 months and collected information regarding opioid use, storage, and disposal. Unsafe storage was defined as storing the opioids in plain sight and sharing or losing their opioids was defined as unsafe use. Results: The median age was 53 years, 55% were female, and 64% were white and 86% had advanced cancer. 19% of the patients had history of illicit drug use and 24% reported that drug abuse is prevalent in their neighborhood. 59% obtained the opioid from their oncologist and 6% believed they were prescribed more medication than required. Of the 113 respondents, 36% stored opioids in plain sight, 53% kept them hidden but unlocked, and only 15% locked their opioids. 73% agreed that they would use a lockbox to store their opioids if given one, 78% were unaware of proper opioid disposal methods, and 67% had unused opioids at home. Only 13% previously received education about safe disposal of opioids. Patients who reported that others have asked them for their pain medications (P = .004) and those who would use a lockbox if given one (P = .019) were more likely to keep them locked. 13 patients (12%) used opioids unsafely by either sharing (5%) or losing (8%) them. Patients who reported to being prescribed more pain pills than required (P = .032), others having asked them for their pain pills (P = .06), being unemployed (P = .07), and those who were unaware of drug take-back programs (P = .06) were more likely to participate in unsafe use. Overall, 77% (87) of the patients reported unsafe storage, unsafe use, or possessed unused opioids at home. Conclusions: A large number of cancer patients improperly and unsafely store, use, or dispose of opioids. More research is needed to determine whether patient education has an effect on minimizing prescription opioid abuse.