Overprescription of Postoperative Narcotics: A Look at Postoperative Pain Medication Delivery, Consumption and Disposal in Urological Practice

Abstract

Overprescription of narcotics is common and retained surplus medication presents a readily available source of opioid diversion. It appears that no entity on the prescribing or dispensing ends of prescription opioid delivery is fulfilling the responsibility to accurately educate patients on proper surplus medication disposal. Surgeons should analyze prescribing practices and consider decreasing the quantity of postoperative narcotics prescribed.