Opioid Drugs:
Opioids are a class of drugs used to reduce pain.
• Prescription Opiods:
Prescription opioids can be prescribed by doctors to treat moderate to severe pain, but can also have serious risks and side effects.
Common types are oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and methadone.
• Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever. It is many times more powerful than other opioids and is approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. Illegally made and distributed fentanyl has been on the rise in several states.
• Heroin
Heroin is an illegal opioid. Heroin use has increased across the U.S. among men and women, most age groups, and all income levels.
Prescription opioids can be used to treat moderate-to-severe pain and are often prescribed following surgery or injury, or for health conditions such as cancer. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the acceptance and use of prescription opioids for the treatment of chronic, non-cancer pain, such as back pain or osteoarthritis, despite serious risks and the lack of evidence about their long-term effectiveness.
Side Effects
In addition to the serious risks of addiction, abuse, and overdose, the use of prescription opioids can have a number of side effects, even when taken as directed:
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Tolerance—meaning you might need to take more of the medication for the same pain relief
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Physical dependence—meaning you have symptoms of withdrawal when the medication is stopped
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Increased sensitivity to pain
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Constipation
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Nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth
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Sleepiness and dizziness
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Confusion
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Depression
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Low levels of testosterone that can result in lower sex drive, energy, and strength
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Itching and sweating
Risk Factors for Prescription Opioid Abuse and Overdose
Research shows that some risk factors make people particularly vulnerable to prescription opioid abuse and overdose, including:
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Obtaining overlapping prescriptions from multiple providers and pharmacies.
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Taking high daily dosages of prescription pain relievers.
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Having mental illness or a history of alcohol or other substance abuse.
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Living in rural areas and having low income.
Medicaid Patients
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Inappropriate prescribing practices and opioid prescribing rates are substantially higher among Medicaid patients than among privately insured patients.
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In one study based on 2010 data, 40% of Medicaid enrollees with prescriptions for pain relievers had at least one indicator of potentially inappropriate use or prescribing:
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overlapping prescriptions for pain relievers,
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overlapping pain reliever and benzodiazepine prescriptions,
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long-acting or extended release prescription pain relievers for acute pain, and
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high daily doses.
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Addiction and Overdose
Anyone who takes prescription opioids can become addicted to them. In fact, as many as one in four patients receiving long-term opioid therapy in a primary care setting struggles with opioid addiction.4,5,6 Once addicted, it can be hard to stop. In 2014, nearly two million Americans either abused or were dependent on prescription opioid pain relievers.
Taking too many prescription opioids can stop a person’s breathing—leading to death.
Prescription opioid overdose deaths also often involve benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants used to sedate, induce sleep, prevent seizures, and relieve anxiety. Examples include alprazolam (Xanax®), diazepam (Valium®), and lorazepam (Ativan®). Avoid taking benzodiazepines while taking prescription opioids whenever possible.