Geriatric nursing
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In elderly (≥75 years) individuals, age-associated physiologic changes and a higher prevalence of comorbidities, polypharmacy, and increased susceptibility to medication-induced side effects complicate pain management. Hysingla® ER (HYD) is a once-daily, single-entity, extended-release hydrocodone formulation approved for the treatment of chronic pain that is insufficiently controlled by alternative treatments. In this post-hoc analysis of a previously reported study, the effectiveness and safety of HYD for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic pain among the elderly (≥75 years) for a 52-week duration was investigated. ⋯ Patients achieved pain control without additional non-study opioid use at the end of the study. Adverse events were typical of opioids. In summary, HYD provided clinically meaningful reduction of pain scores in elderly patients that were maintained over a 52-week period.