How many Vicodin is too many? U-M has answers for doctors

Doctors are prescribing 50 to 75 percent more addictive painkiller than they need, according to a new guide published by the University of Michigan.

Michigan OPEN, an organization that aims to minimize the opioid epidemic in the state through a preventive approach focused on acute care prescribing, updated their list of prescription guidelines this month.

According to the professors who created the guide, their recommendations for prescription amounts represent a 50-75% reduction in pills currently prescribed in most post-surgery cases. And still, there is a belief that these recommendations are over-generous.

"I hope what's clear is these are a start, we believe the true number required for surgery is less than what we're even recommending," said Dr. Chad Brummett an associate professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine at the University of Michigan, who is also one of the co-directors of Michigan OPEN.

Opioids, a highly addictive class of compounds that includes OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin, are often prescribed after surgeries. But users run the risk of growing dependent on the drugs, moving on towards more powerful versions of opioids, which include  heroin. 

While data is still being finalized for 2016, Brummett says Michigan — as well as the nation — are expected to see a continued increase.

"Most project that the increase will continue for the next three to five years," he said, noting that while many are focused on the increased availability of drugs like heroin and fentanyl, his main concern is the prescription of the gateway opioids.