Increased Opioid Exposure in Older Adults During COVID‐19: An Interrupted Times Series Analysis

Why does this matter? Increases in opioid exposures during the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the importance of providing medication administration support for older adults aged 65 and older as well as the importance of caregiving and appropriate opioid prescribing. This interrupted time series analysis examined opioid exposures among adults aged 55 and older whose exposures were reported to any U.S. Poison Centers from 2016 to 2021.Results showed significant increases in opioid exposures for licit formulations of opioids among Americans aged 65 and older following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.Increases in opioid exposures were primarily related to medication errors among Americans aged 65 and older.