WAC 246-922-765. Special populations — Patients twenty-five years of age or under, pregnant patients, and aging populations

(1) Patients twenty-five years of age or under. In the treatment of pain for patients twenty-five years of age or under, the podiatric physician shall treat pain in a manner equal to that of an adult but must account for the weight of the patient and adjust the dosage prescribed accordingly. (2) Pregnant patients. Use of MAT opioids, such as methadone or buprenorphine, by a pregnant patient shall not be discontinued without oversight by the MAT prescribing practitioner. The podiatric physician shall weigh carefully the risks and benefits of opioid detoxification during pregnancy. (3) Aging populations. As people age, their tolerance and metabolizing of opioids may change. The podiatric physician shall treat pain in a manner commensurate with the distinctive needs of patients who are sixty-five years of age or older and who have been on chronic opioid therapy or who are initiating opioid treatment.