Opioids

Opioids are medicines used to relieve pain. Examples of opioids that doctors prescribe for pain include fentanyl, hydrocodone, and morphine. Heroin is also an example of an opioid. But it's not used as a pain medicine.

Your body gets used to this type of drug if you take it all the time. This is called physical dependence. And over time, you may need a higher dose to get pain relief. This is called tolerance. When you stop taking it, you may feel sick (withdrawal).

Side effects of opioids may include:

• Constipation.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Feeling sleepy.
• Trouble urinating.
• Low sex drive.

Opioid medicine can cause serious problems, and even death, especially if it's misused.

Opioids are used to relieve moderate to severe pain. They may be used for a short time, such as after surgery, or for long-term pain when safer options don't help.

Opioids don't cure a health problem. But they may help you manage the pain and help you function better.

Here are some examples of opioids and other medicines that have opioids in them. For each item in the list, the generic name is first, followed by any brand names.

• codeine (Tylenol 3)
• hydrocodone (Norco)
• oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)

This is not a complete list of opioids.

If you have opioid pills or patches that you are not going to use, get rid of them right away. Do not keep your opioid medicine or opioid patches for later use.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that you take your opioid pills and patches to a drop-off box or take-back program that is authorized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Your local pharmacy or hospital may offer one of these.

If you can't get to a DEA-authorized site right away and your medicine doesn't have specific disposal information (such as flushing), you can dispose of them in your household trash using these steps.

• Take the medicine out of its container.
• Mix it with something that tastes bad, such as cat litter or coffee grounds.
• Place the mixture in a sealed plastic bag, and put the bag in your household trash.

Only flush your medicine down the toilet if you can't get to a DEA-approved site or if your medicine instructions state clearly to flush them. You can also go to the FDA website to see a list of medicines that should be flushed.

Take special care with used opioid patches. As soon as you peel a patch off of your skin, fold it in half with the sticky sides together. Immediately take it to a DEA-authorized site or flush it down the toilet if a DEA-authorized site isn't available in your area. Do not throw them in the trash.

All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. You may:

• Feel confused or have a hard time thinking clearly.
• Be constipated.
• Feel faint, dizzy, or lightheaded.
• Feel drowsy.
• Feel sick to your stomach or vomit.
• Have an allergic reaction.

Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.

All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. You may:

• Be constipated.
• Feel sick to your stomach or vomit.
• Feel sleepy.
• Have trouble urinating.
• Have a low sex drive.
• Need larger doses over time.

The risk of overdose and misuse is higher with long-acting opioids.

If you need to take opioids to manage your pain, remember these safety tips.

• Follow directions carefully. It's easy to misuse opioids if you take a dose other than what's prescribed by your doctor. This can lead to accidental overdose and even death. Even sharing them with someone they weren't meant for is misuse.
• Be cautious. Opioids may affect your judgment and decision making. Do not drive or operate machinery while you take them. Talk with your doctor about when it is safe to drive.
• Reduce the risk of drug interactions. Opioids can be dangerous if you take them with alcohol or with certain drugs like sleeping pills and muscle relaxers. The combination can decrease your breathing rate and lead to overdose or death. Make sure your doctor knows about all the other medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines. Don't start any new medicines before you talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Safely store and dispose of opioids. Store opioids in a safe and secure place. Make sure that pets, children, friends, and family can't get to them. When you're done using opioids, make sure to dispose of them safely and as quickly as possible. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends these disposal options.
  • The best option is to take your medicine to a drop-off box or take-back program that is authorized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
  • If these programs aren't available in your area and your medicine doesn't have specific disposal instructions (such as flushing), you can throw them into your household trash if you follow the FDA's instructions. Visit fda.gov and search for "unused medicine disposal."
  • If you have opioid patches (used or unused), your options are to take them to a DEA-authorized site or flush them down the toilet. Do not throw them in the trash.
  • Only flush your medicine down the toilet if you can't get to a DEA-approved site or your medicine instructions state clearly to flush them.
• Reduce the risk of overdose. Opioids can be very dangerous. Protect yourself by asking your doctor about a naloxone rescue kit. It can help you—and even save your life—if you take too much of an opioid.

Try other ways to reduce pain.

• Relax, and reduce stress. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation can help.
• Keep moving. Gentle, daily exercise can help reduce pain over the long run. Try low- or no-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, and stationary biking. Do stretches to stay flexible.
• Help yourself with healthy thinking through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This type of therapy is used to help people think in a healthy way. It focuses on thought (cognitive) and action (behavioral).
• Try heat, cold packs, and massage.
• Get enough sleep. Pain can make you tired and drain your energy. Talk with your doctor if you have trouble sleeping because of pain.
• Think positive. Your thoughts can affect your pain level. Do things that you enjoy to distract yourself when you have pain instead of focusing on the pain. See a movie, read a book, listen to music, or spend time with a friend.