Prescription Opioids

What You Need to Know

Prescription opioids can be used to help relieve moderate to severe pain and are often prescribed following a surgery or injury, or for certain health conditions. These medications can be an important part of treatment but also come with serious risks. It is important to work with your healthcare provider to make sure you are getting the safest, most effective care.

What are the risks and side effects of opioid use?

Prescription opioids carry serious risks of addiction and overdose, especially with prolonged use. An opioid overdose, often marked by slowed breathing, can cause sudden death. The use of prescription opioids can have a number of side effects as well, even when taken as directed:

 

• tolerance—meaning you might need to take more of a medication for the same pain relief
• physical dependence—meaning you have symptoms of withdrawal when a medication is stopped 
• increased sensitivity to pain
• constipation
• nausea, vomiting and dry mouth 
• sleepiness and dizziness 
• confusion 
• depression 
• low levels of testosterone that can result in lower sex drive, energy and strength 
• itching and sweating
  

Risks are greater with:

• history of drug misuse, substance use disorder or overdose
• mental health conditions (such as depression or anxiety)
• sleep apnea
• older age (65 years or older)
• pregnancy
  

Know your options.

Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to manage your pain that don’t involve prescription opioids. Some of these options may actually work better and have fewer risks and side effects. Options may include:



• pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen
• some medications that are also used for depression or seizures
• physical therapy and exercise
• cognitive behavioral therapy—a psychological, goal-directed approach in which patients learn how to modify physical, behavioral and emotional triggers of pain and stress

• Never take opioids in greater amounts or more often than prescribed.
• Ask when you should follow up with your primary healthcare provider.
• Work together to create a plan on how to manage your pain.
• Talk about ways to help manage your pain that don’t involve prescription opioids.
• Talk about any and all concerns and side effects.
• Help prevent misuse and abuse.
• Never sell or share prescription opioids.
• Never use another person’s prescription opioids.
• Store prescription opioids in a secure place and out of reach of others (this may include visitors, children, friends and family).
• Safely dispose of unused prescription opioids: Find your community drug take-back program or your pharmacy mail-back program, following guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou).
• Visit www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose to learn about the risks of opioid abuse and overdose.
• If you believe you may be struggling with addiction, tell your healthcare provider and ask for guidance or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

Learn more at www.cdc.gov/patients.