Russell K. Portenoy, MD, Chairman, Department of Pain Medicine & Palliative Care at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, talks about opioid rotation as a strategy for dealing with poor responsiveness. The approach involves switching from one opioid to another based on the observation that each patient will react uniquely to different opioid agents. Dr. Portenoy reviews the guidelines for safe implementation of this strategy, including the use of equianalgesic dose tables and new drug dose adjustment.

This content was developed with Russell Portenoy, MD.

Russell Portenoy, MD has indicated the following financial disclosures during the past 12 months:

  • Advisor/speaker
  • Arsenal Medical Inc.
  • Grupo Ferrer
  • Xenon

Departmental educational/research grants

  • Ameritox
  • Archimedes Pharmaceuticals
  • Boston Scientific
  • Covidien Mallinckrodt Inc.
  • Endo Pharmaceuticals
  • Forest Labs
  • K-Pax Pharmaceuticals
  • Meda Pharmaceuticals
  • Medtronics
  • Otsuka Pharma
  • ProStrakan
  • Purdue Pharma
  • Salix
  • St. Jude Medical