Herzig SJ, Anderson TS, Jung Y, et al. - Risk for mortality and other post discharge adverse outcomes appeared to be higher among older adults filling an opioid prescription for the treatment of pain in the week after hospital discharge relative to those filling an nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prescription only.

• A nationwide sample of older adults who received an opioid or an NSAID prescription in the week after hospital discharge was retrieved using records from the largest payer for healthcare in the US.

• Risk for death, healthcare utilization, falls/fractures, nausea/vomiting, and complications related to constipation, were noted to be higher among older adults filling an opioid prescription in the week after hospital discharge.

• The groups did not differ in the risk of acute renal failure and upper gastrointestinal complications.