Objective To analyze the compliance and adverse reactions of patients with moderate and severe pain using strong opioid analgesics after discharge.

Methods The medical records of discharged patients who were prescribed strong opioid analgesics (morphine sulfate sustained release tablets, oxycodone hydrochloride sustained release tablets, fentanyl transdermal patches) from August to September 2020 were collected, and patients were divided into morphine, hydrochloride, and fentanyl groups. All the patients were followed up by telephone from November to December 2020, and the application, efficacy, and related adverse reactions of analgesics in each group were compared.

Results A total of 291 patients' discharge medication data were obtained, and 45, 198, and 48 patients were in the morphine group, oxycodone group, and fentanyl group, respectively. There were significant differences in the proportion of smoking, drinking, combined use of other analgesics among the 3 groups (P < 0.05). 239 patients (82.13%) were followed up effectively by telephone, and the differences among 3 groups in the proportion of patients with medication concerns were statistically significant (P < 0.001). The incidences of adverse reactions in the morphine group (n=32), oxycodone group (n=168), and fentanyl group (n=39) were 62.50%, 28.57%, and 15.38%, respectively (P < 0.001). There was no significantly statistical difference in medication compliance and pain control effects in 3 groups.

Conclusions Discharged patients with moderate to severe pain often have problems such as poor living habits, concerns about the use of strong opioid analgesics, and a high incidence of analgesia-related adverse reactions, and poor compliance. Therefore, it is necessary for pharmacists actively change the pharmacy service mode and provide the guidance service after patients being discharged. Especially for patients who use morphine, medication education should be strengthened.