Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LICENSING
Chapter 246-853 - Osteopathic physicians and surgeons
OPIOID PRESCRIBING-SPECIAL POPULATIONS
Section 246-853-765 - Special populations-Patients twenty-five years of age or under, pregnant patient, and aging populations

(1) Patients twenty-five years of age or under. In the treatment of pain for patients twenty-five years of age or under, the osteopathic physician shall treat pain in a manner equal to that of an adult but must account for the weight of the patient and reduce the dosage prescribed accordingly.

(2) Pregnant patients. The osteopathic physician shall not discontinue the use of MAT opioids, such as methadone or buprenorphine, by a pregnant patient without oversight by the MAT prescribing practitioner. The osteopathic physician shall weigh carefully the risks and benefits of opioid detoxification during pregnancy.

(3) Aging populations. As people age, their tolerance and metabolizing of opioids may change. The osteopathic physician shall consider the distinctive needs of patients who are sixty-five years of age or older and who have been on chronic opioid therapy or who are initiating opioid treatment.