Important note on recency of Minnesota’s Opioid Prescribing Guidance


Minnesota published its Opioid Prescribing Guidelines (PDF) in 2018. The Minnesota guidance is not the most current available but is still relevant. In 2022, both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs updated their opioid prescribing guiance to reflect evolving medical evidence. Refer to either of the following for guidance that is most current:  

Buprenorphine – an alternative to full-agonist opioids

Buprenorphine is a medication that offers effective pain control without the risks associated with full-agonist opioids. A partial agonist, buprenorphine has a ceiling effect that minimizes respiratory depression and sedation, significantly decreasing the likelihood of overdose. Buprenorphine also may reduce problems associated with long term full opioid use such as increasing tolerance and hyperalgesia. Buprenorphine preserves function and pain relief while lowering serious safety risks for many patients.

Refer to the Buprenorphine for the Management of Chronic Pain (2024) (PDF) clinical guidance published by the Veteran’s Administration (VA).  Refer to OPIP’s Resources for Providers webpage for more information about prescribing buprenorphine for the treatment of chronic pain.  

Minnesota's Opioid Prescribing Guidelines

Minnesota's Opioid Prescribing Guidelines (PDF) provide a framework for safe and judicious opioid prescribing for pain management. In partnership with the medical community, the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Department of Health developed the guidelines for clinicians who manage pain in primary care and specialty outpatient settings. Refer to the Opioid prescribing community standards (PDF) summary.

Minnesota Guidance on Opioid Tapers

Minnesota updated its Opioid Prescribing Guidelines in 2021 to reflect evolving evidence around opioid tapers. Refer to the Tapering and discontinuing opioid use webpage to review the updated tapering guidelines. Additionally, the CDC and the VA extensively address tapering in their 2022 updates.