Opioid Epidemic

Prescription Opioids: 

• Natural or synthetic chemicals that bind to receptors in your brain or body to reduce the intensity of pain signals. Opioids can be prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. 

Common Prescription Opioids:

• Hydrocodone (ex: Vicodin, Norco) 
• Oxycodone (ex: Oxycontin, Percocet) 
• Morphine (ex: MS Contin, Kadian)                              

Common Side Effects of Opioid Use:           

• Drug tolerance
• Physical dependence.    
• Increased sensitivity to pain
• Sedation and dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting

Withdrawal Symptoms of Opioid Use Disorder: 

Drug withdrawal is a physiological response to the sudden quitting or slowing of use of a substance to which the body has grown dependent on. The various types of drug withdrawal syndromes may involve different combinations of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms—some of which can prove dangerous if left unmanaged.

                                                               Image Source: WorkIt Health, "Opiate Withdrawal Timeline" 

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Based on the CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain: 

• Non-opioid treatments are preferred for most types of pain (acute, subacute, and chronic). 
• Only prescribe if benefits outweigh the risks for the patient
• Start with the lowest effective dose and the shortest duration necessary to manage acute pain 
• Regularly reassess benefits and evaluate risks
• Consider prescribing Naloxone (Narcan) to prevent opioid overdose. 
• Tack patient prescriptions using Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs). 

Find more information at the links below: