Differences in addiction potential among the five most commonly used opioids in the Netherlands - oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, buprenorphine, and tramadol - in equianalgesic dosing: A Scoping Review.

Although opioids in general are associated with a risk of addiction, there are indications that there are differences in the addiction potential of different opioids. However, differences in the addiction potential of opioids are not yet considered in (inter)national guidelines for opioid prescribing. Incorporating this factor could help prescribers make a more informed assessment of the benefits and risks of different opioids, leading to a better-informed decision when selecting an opioid. Some hospitals in the Netherlands have shifted their first-choice opioid from oxycodone to morphine, based on the perception that morphine is less addictive. However, this appears to be based more on individual experience than on solid evidence. To our knowledge, a review of the literature that considers differences in addiction potential between opioids has not yet been conducted. Therefore, we are conducting a scoping review to systematically map the current literature and address this knowledge gap.