Annals of emergency medicine
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Acute pain complaints are commonly treated in the emergency department (ED). Short courses of opioids are presumed to be safe for acute pain; however, the risk of recurrent opioid use after receipt of an ED opioid prescription is unknown. We describe the risk of recurrent opioid use in patients receiving an opioid prescription from the ED for an acute painful condition. ⋯ Opioid-naive ED patients prescribed opioids for acute pain are at increased risk for additional opioid use at 1 year.
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Editorial Comment
Does the Choice of Antibiotic Affect Outcome in Strep Throat?
There is insufficient evidence to show clinically meaningful differences between antibiotics for group A beta hemolytic streptococci tonsillopharyngitis. Penicillin or amoxicillin is recommended as first choice, given the absence of resistance and low cost.