Opioid (Narcotic) Pain Medications

Opioid (Narcotic) Pain Medications


Opioid Side Effects

One of the reasons why your doctor needs to manage your pain medications so closely is that they can potentially cause side effects, such as:

constipation
drowsiness
nausea and vomiting
Opioids can be dangerous if you take them with alcohol, or with certain drugs such as:

some antidepressants
antihistamines
sleeping pills
Make sure your doctor knows all of the other medicines you're taking. That includes:

prescriptions
over-the-counter drugs
herbal supplements
Opioid Tolerance and Addiction

After taking opioid pain medication for a while, you might find that you need more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect in reducing your pain. This is called tolerance. It's not the same as addiction, which involves a compulsive use of a drug.

When you use opioid medication over an extended period of time, you can develop dependence. This can occur when your body becomes so used to the drug that if you abruptly stop taking it, you get withdrawal symptoms such as:

diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
muscle pain
anxiety
irritability
You can also develop an addiction to opioid pain medications. People who are addicted to opioids compulsively seek out the pain medications. They typically have behaviors that lead to negative consequences in their personal lives or workplace.

If you are having a problem with addiction, you might need to see an addiction specialist.

Should You Take Opioid Pain Medications?

Opioids can make a dramatic difference to people with moderate to severe pain. These drugs can be an effective therapy -- as long as you use them safely and follow your doctor's instructions carefully.