Understanding opioids – a pain medication

Pain-numbing medicines made from the opium poppy plant are called opiates. Man-made versions of these drugs are opioids. Opioids, also known as narcotics, are used to manage pain. Opioids are an important
pain management option, but they also have a number of side effects, including physical dependency. Dependency is when your body becomes used to opioids and goes into withdrawal when the medication is stopped. Prolonged use carries the risk of addiction and overdose. An opioid overdose, which causes
your breathing to slow down, can cause death.

How do opioids work? 

Opioids attach to receptors -- a part of cells -- found in the brain, spinal cord, and other areas of the body. They tell the brain to block pain and make you feel calm and happy. Opioids do not treat the cause of most painful conditions. They make your body feel the pain differently.

Watch "Why the Brain Loves Opioids"

Is opioid misuse a problem?

Since 1999, over 700,000 people have died from a drug overdose. In 2017, 130 Americans died each day from an opioid overdose (Centers for Disease Control data). The opioid crisis is a national public health emergency. The United States has 5% of the world’s population but uses 80% of the world’s opioids.

The most common side effects of opioids are drowsiness and impaired judgment. When taking a narcotic pain medication, do not drink alcohol, drive, or operate heavy machinery.

Opioids can slow your breathing and lower your heart rate and blood pressure, so talk to your doctor and make sure these medications are safe for you, especially if you’re taking other medications.

Dangerous reactions can occur if you take too much, take them too often, or mix them with alcohol, illegal drugs, and some medications. These reactions could be fatal. Some people may also experience side effects like:

• Sleepiness
• Confusion
• Slow thinking
• Dizzy or lightheaded
• Constipation
• Itching
• Sweating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Decreased sex drive

Learn more about opioids and possible side effects from UPMC. 

What are the risks?

Risks of opioid therapy include:

• Trouble breathing
• Worsening of pain
• Impaired driving
• Tolerance (which means needing a higher dose to get the same relief)
• Dependency (which means your body needs the opioids to function)
• Withdrawal
• Addiction

When people take opioids with other drugs, this can cause even more problems. It is important to talk with your doctor about everything you take. 

Learn more about serious risks of prolonged opioid use

Caution when taking an opioid

After taking opioid pain drugs for a while, you might find that you need more and more of the drug to feel the same pain relief. This is called tolerance. It's not the same as addiction, which involves the uncontrollable use of a drug. 

Opioids are a strong medicine that can be addictive. This means a person keeps using opioids even though it causes negative outcomes in their personal lives or workplace. Opioids can make your brain and body believe the drug is necessary for survival. Both legal and illegal opioids carry a risk of overdose if a person takes too much of the drug or if opioids are combined with other drugs. 

Watch a documentary called "The Deadliest Drug Crisis in American History"

Watch a video on "The life of an opioid addict"

If you are worried about the amount of opioid pain medication you are taking:

• Talk with your doctor
• Talk with your pharmacist. Ask the pharmacist about medication therapy management (MTM). MTM is when a pharmacist reviews all your medications.
• Talk with your doctor about a pain clinic. A pain clinic specializes in helping you manage your pain.
• You can also call the customer/member service number on the back of your health insurance member identification (ID) card. Ask to speak to someone about MTM. 

How to store pain medications

Opioid pain medications are considered a narcotic and need to be stored securely.

• Store medications in a place in your home that is out of sight from children and visitors. It’s best to use a locking medicine cabinet. If you don’t have one, travel cases that lock are available for purchase at a pharmacy or other store to safely carry prescription medicines.
• Return medication to the secure location after every use. Avoid leaving medication or pill containers on countertops, tables or nightstands in open view where they can be easily used by others.
• Do not keep loose pills in easily opened plastic bags or containers in your purse, luggage or office drawer.

Unused medications

When your medications are no longer needed, they should be disposed of properly. Do not keep these medications for later use. Keeping old pills in your home puts you at risk for:

• Accidental poisoning
• Theft
• Drug abuse

That’s why safe storage and disposal of medicines are so important.

How to properly dispose of unused medications:

• Some pharmacies or law enforcement offices offer drug take-back programs. Check with your pharmacy or find a Drug Take Back location near you.
• National Drug Take Back events happen at specific times throughout the year and are an opportunity for community members to safely dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs at no charge.
• Avoid flushing prescriptions down the toilet or pouring in a drain because they can pollute water supplies. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has a web page about managing unwanted medications and a search for collection sites in Minnesota.
• Earth911.com is a website all about being earth friendly. Click on where to recycle to search for medication takeback locations near you.