Tips to Safely Use Opioids and Side Effects of Opioid Medications
by Steve Son Marketing RepresentativePracticing caution when using opioid medications can
mean the difference between life and death for you. Opioid medications are
highly addictive. The chance that you’ll develop long-term dependence on these
drugs significantly rises after just about five days of prescription opioid
use.
Here are some steps that you should take to safely use opioid
medications:
Learn About Your Family History- For some people,
opioid isn’t even safe to consider. It is your doctor who after assessing your medical
history, family history and personal history of substance use- will prescribe
you opioid medication in New York City only if it safe for you. Sleep apnea,
anxiety or depression, obesity are some medical conditions that increase your
risk of dangerous side effects from opioid medications. There’s an increased
risk of opioid abuse and addiction for individuals who’ve a family
history/personal history of substance abuse, history of severe depression or anxiety,
prior drug or alcohol rehabilitation.
Consult with Your Doctor- It is only in consultation
with your doctor that you should go ahead with these medications since they’ll
prescribe the lowest effective dose, for the shortest period needed, when treating
acute pain; avoid prescribing opioids for chronic pain, and also help you minimize
withdrawal when you stop opioids. Make sure to schedule regular checkups while
you’re taking opioids and do let your doctor know about any concerns that might
be bothering you.
Safely Manage Your Medications- The onus lies with you
in ensuring your safety while taking opioids. As a safety measure, inform all
your providers about all of the drugs you’re taking, order all your medications
through the same pharmacy as much as possible, read the instructions and
warnings carefully, check the date of expiration on your pill bottle and report
side effects to your doctor immediately.
Safely Stopping the Medication- Don’t try to go off
opioids on your own since it puts you at risk of serious health complications.
Ask your doctor to help you wean off.
Side Effects of Opioid
Medications:
Certain expected side effects of common pain medications:
1. Drowsiness and change in cognition
2. Nausea
3. Respiratory Depression
4. Constipation
5. Physical dependence and addiction (clinical
concerns)
6. Myoclonus (involuntary muscle twitching) (can occur
with high-dose opioid therapy)
7. Pruritus (itching) (most common with morphine)
Opioids can have a huge impact on your thinking and
judgment. Signs of opioid abuse include mood changes, borrowing medication from
others, taking pain medication even when you’re not in pain, taking more than the
prescribed dose of medication. Sit with your doctor and devise a plan to safely
taper off your medications.
Contact Us:
Harlem East Life Plan
https://www.harlemeastlifeplan.com
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Created on Feb 24th 2020 21:10. Viewed 274 times.