Prescription Opioid Safety

Prescription opioids help relieve moderate-to-severe pain. Following surgery, opioids can be an effective pain treatment option, but there are many risks associated with opioids. Even when a doctor prescribes an opioid, it can have side effects that are dangerous. Work with your doctor to get the best treatment possible for your condition.

If you or your child is prescribed opioids as part of a treatment plan for pain, you should know the risks, symptoms of an overdose and how to store your medication safely to prevent an overdose. Use opioids as directed by a doctor and talk to your doctor about any concerns you have.

Risks of Opioids

Opioids can cause some serious side effects, including:

Tolerance – over time, you may need to take more of the medication for the same pain relief
Nausea, vomiting and dry mouth
Sleepiness and dizziness
Confusion
Increased sensitivity to pain
Itching and sweating
Depression
Constipation
Physical dependence or symptoms of withdrawal when you stop taking the medication

Other risks of opioid use include overdose and addiction. The risk of addiction with opioids is higher with people who have a history of drug misuse or substance abuse, mental health conditions or sleep apnea.

How to Recognize an Overdose

A person’s breathing can slow down to a dangerous rate during an overdose, and the person may lose consciousness. Other signs include limpness and pale blue or cold skin. If you suspect an opioid overdose, call 911 immediately. Until medical help arrives, try to keep the person awake and breathing. To prevent choking, lay the person on their side.

Safety Tips to Prevent Opioid Abuse

Pain pill safety involves being proactive when taking opioids. When using opioids prescribed by a doctor, follow these safety tips to keep yourself and others safe:

Monitor the medication. Know where the medication is and how much you have left on hand.
Keep the medicine locked up and out of the reach of children.
Transition as quick as possible to acetaminophen and ibuprofen, as directed by a doctor, to get off the opioid medication. This makes it less likely that a person will become dependent on pain medication.
Dispose of unused medicines properly. Call your pharmacist or law enforcement for places where you can turn in unused medication safely.
Never take any prescription medicines not prescribed for you.
Don’t adjust the dosage of pain medication on your own.

When talking to your doctor about prescription opioids, make sure he or she knows about all the medications you are taking. It’s also important to know your options when dealing with pain to avoid taking opioids for longer than needed. Your doctor may recommend a combination of physical therapy and exercise, over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and/or cognitive behavioral therapy to treat your pain. Acute pain may react well to heat, ice or massage therapy.

Talk to your doctor about opioids before you start using them to make sure that you understand the risks and the benefits. If you do think you or your child is struggling with addiction, tell your doctor.