Slowly but surely: Opioids in renal failure and dialysis patients

Overview

Chronic pain in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and dialysis patients is often underestimated and untreated. Choosing the appropriate analgesic therapy for end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients can be quite challenging because a reduced glomerular filtration rate alters the normal pharmacokinetics of analgesic medications and could potentially cause toxicity and undesirable side effects and drug interactions. Opioids are the mainstays in the management of severe pain but there are a number of barriers to their use in ESRD patients. This webinar is aimed at discussing the use of opioids in management of chronic pain in ESRD patients.

Dr Akshay Athavale will present on pain, including: types, aetiology, opioids analgesic and pharmacokinetic consideration when treating ESRD patients, and long-term effect of chronic pain in ERSD patients.

Professor Maria Cigolini will discuss barriers to effective management of chronic pain, role of opioids in pain management of ESRD patients, and renal dosing and correct and safe use of opioids in ESRD patients.

Objectives

• To differentiate between acute and chronic pain.
• To discuss opioid analgesic and their vital pharmacokinetic consideration when treating patients with renal failure.
• To identify the long-term consequences of chronic pain on ESRD patients physically, socially, and economically.
• To describe the inherent issues and barriers to effective management of chronic pain in ESRD patients.
• To discuss the role of opioids in pain management in ESRD patients.

Presenters
Dr Akshay Athavale, Nephrologist
Professor Maria Cigolini, Palliative Care Specialist

Date: Tuesday, 4 April 2023

Time: 5.30pm – 7.00pm  AEST

Cost
RSA Members – FREE
Non-Members – $15.00 inc. GST

CPD: 1.5 hours