Opioid analgesics are approved by the FDA for the treatment of moderate or severe pain. However, individual patients differ greatly in clinical response to different opioid analgesics, and patient populations show widely variable response to the same opioid and dose.

The controlled substances education course opens with a review the pathophysiology and assessment of acute and chronic pain.

The abuse of controlled substances, including stimulants, opioids, sedatives, and tranquilizers, presents a significant public health challenge nationwide. This educational program delves deeply into the array of medications classified as controlled substances by federal regulations.