Opioids and Dependence Forming Medicines

Some medicines used to treat pain, anxiety, insomnia and other conditions can lead to dependence if used for prolonged periods. This page provides information on the safe use, review and deprescribing of dependence-forming medicines to support safe and effective patient care.

The prescribing guidance, formularies, pathways and information on this website have transferred from the predecessor organisations that now form NHS Central East ICB.

Guidance may not be available for all clinical topics or geographic areas. Where guidance is available, it is clearly identified as applying to Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK), Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (C&P), Hertfordshire or Central East (CE).

Guidance labelled Central East (CE) has been harmonised and approved for use across NHS Central East ICB. Where CE guidance is not available, local arrangements for BLMK, C&P or Hertfordshire remain in place.

For Hertfordshire prescribing guidance, please visit: www.hweclinicalguidance.nhs.uk

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes

Tapentadol for severe chronic pain – Shared Care Guideline (For patients under the care of a Specialist within the Milton Keynes area only) (pdf)

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Dependence Forming Medicines Deprescribing Algorithm – Prescribing Guidance (pdf)