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Table 1 Suggested definition to replacenonmedical prescription opioid use

From: “Nonmedical” prescription opioid use in North America: a call for priority action

Suggested definition

Description

Not-as-prescribed opioid use (NAPOU)

The authors suggest the term not-as-prescribed opioid use (NAPOU), which recognizes that opioid use may not be “nonmedical” in nature (e.g., undertreated pain or withdrawal), and includes opioid use not as indicated for the individual whether by the use of someone else’s prescription or the use of one’s own prescription outside of prescribed parameters (e.g., alternate dose, frequency, route, or indication).