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Are opioid medicines dangerous?
Are opioids safe?
What are the side effects of opioids?
How many people die from opioid overdose?
Aug 26, 2023 · What are opioids and why are they dangerous? Products and services. What makes opioid medicines so dangerous? Answer From Tyler S. Oesterle, M.D., M.P.H. When used as directed by your doctor, opioid medicines safely help control severe pain, such as pain you may have after surgery. But there are risks when the medicines aren't used correctly.
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Opioids (sometimes called narcotics) are a class of drugs healthcare providers prescribe to manage moderate to severe pain. They also sometimes prescribe opioids for chronic coughing and diarrhea. Opioids have high addiction potential, so it’s important to talk with your provider about their risks and benefits before taking them.
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How should I take prescribed opioids?
You should always be careful when taking any prescribed medication, but you need to take extra care when taking prescribed opioids. Helpful tips include: Take your medication exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider — do not take extra doses. Check the instructions every time you take a dose. Do not break, chew, crush or dissolve opioid pills. Do not drive or use any machinery that may injure you or others, especially when you first start the medication. Opioids can cause drowsiness. Contact your provider if you have side effects. If you can, use the same pharmacy for all your medications. The pharmacy's computer system will alert the pharmacist if you’re taking two or more medicines that could cause a dangerous interaction. If you feel that you’re dependent on opioids or your prescribed dosage isn’t helping you manage your symptoms, do not take more than your recommended dosage and talk with your healthcare provider immediately. Never share your opioid medication with someone else or sell your medication. Always store it in a safe place away from children and pets.
What are the side effects of opioids?
Common side effects of opioids include: Drowsiness (sedation). Dizziness. Nausea and vomiting. Constipation. Physical dependence — Dependence often manifests with withdrawal symptoms when opioids are discontinued or decreased. Tolerance — As you take repeated doses of opioids, you require increased medication to experience the same effect of pain relief. Respiratory depression — This can occur in healthy people, especially with higher doses. However, people with COPD, asthma or other lung conditions may be even more susceptible to fatal respiratory impairment. Uncommon side effects of opioids include: An increased sensitivity to feeling pain and extreme response to pain (hyperalgesia). Chronic use of opioids can lead to this. Delayed gastric emptying (the process by which the contents of your stomach are moved into your small intestine). Muscle rigidity. Immune system and hormonal dysfunction. Quick, involuntary muscle jerks (myoclonus). Arrhythmia. Itchy skin (pruritus). Dry mouth (xerostomia).
What are the long-term effects of opioids?
Long-term side effects from chronic opioid use include: Chronic constipation. Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Increased risk of bone fractures. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal dysregulation. Increased risk of overdose.
Mar 19, 2018 · Why are they dangerous? While there are good reasons for taking opioids, they can be highly addictive. The feelings of pleasure that result from taking an opioid can also make people want...
Oct 5, 2022 · Opioids are powerful drugs that relieve pain. Learn their medical uses and side effects, plus factors that may increase opioid use disorder risk.
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Mar 19, 2018 · Opioids can be safe and effective for certain types of pain when prescribed and monitored carefully; however, they also come with potential risks, such as the development of physical tolerance (needing higher doses to achieve the same pain relief) and the development of opioid use disorder.
Due to their pharmacological effects, opioids can cause breathing difficulties, and opioid overdose can lead to death. Worldwide, in 2019 about 600 000 deaths were attributable to drug use. Close to 80% of these deaths are related to opioids, with about 25% of those deaths caused by opioid overdose.
Sep 17, 2021 · Authorities class some illegal drugs, such as heroin, as opioids. Misusing legal or illegal opioids can lead to serious side effects and even death. This article will explore what opioids are,...
