Don’t Take Opioids for Migraine
Triptans (Imitrex and others) are the drugs of choice to treat migraine, whereas opioids (Vicodin, Norco, and others) are not. Opioids are less effective and have risk of habituation and possibly addiction. Non-neurologists gave triptans to about 20% of their patients with a migraine diagnosis, and 36% received opioids. Ten percent of this group of primary care physicians was responsible for two-thirds of the opioid prescriptions. About 10% of patients on opioids generated almost half of the headache encounters and had 7 or more clinic visits in the 2 years of the study. This study, done at the University of Utah, led to increased teaching of residents and primary care physicians with the goal of reducing use of opioids.
Dr. Florin is committed to treating all patients compassionately with state-of-the-art techniques while maintaining their dignity and independence. He views each patient encounter as a collaboration. Dr Florin has over 35 years of experience. He is Adjunct Clinical Professor at Keck School of Medicine (USC) and is the founder and medical director of the Fullerton Neurology and Headache Center. He has been recognized by the Orange County Medical Association as a Physician of Excellence in Neurology. US News and World Report ranks him in the top 10% of neurologists nationwide.
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