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Examples:
morphine , hydromorphone (Dilaudid), oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox,
Oxycontin), codeine (Tylenol #3), hydrocodone (Vicodin or Lortab)
Opioids are
used for severe pain. They are available only with a doctor's prescription.
Opioids come in many different forms: pills, capsules, liquids,
rectal suppositories and injections.
HOW TO IDENTIFY
AND MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS OF OPIOIDS
Constipation
There are several things you can do to prevent constipation:
- You will
probably need to take a laxative or other stool softener on a
regular schedule to prevent constipation. Make sure your doctor
or nurse gives you a list of appropriate laxatives to choose from.
These medications are sold over the counter in a pharmacy, without
a prescription.
- Drink plenty
of fluids, about 8 to 10 glasses each day. Some people find their
bowels move after drinking hot liquids like coffee or hot lemon
water. Prune and other fruit juices may be helpful.
- Exercise
daily. Take short walks. If you usually stay in bed or sit in
a chair most of the time, do exercises while lying or sitting.
- Tell your
nurse or doctor if you are having problems with constipation,
especially if you have not had a bowel movement in three days.
Nausea and
Vomiting
- Pain medicine
may sometimes cause nausea or vomiting. These symptoms usually
pass in a few days. Until then, it is often helpful to take a
medicine to prevent nausea. Make sure you doctor gives you a prescription
for this.
- Taking your
pain medicine with food will help decrease nausea.
- Try to limit
your intake to clear liquids when nauseated
- If nausea
or vomiting continues after a few days, tell your nurse or doctor.
Drowsiness
- You can
expect some degree of drowsiness when you begin taking an opioid.
This feeling will often pass after 2-3 days. Do not do activities
that require you to be alert, such as driving a car or operating
machines.
- Pain may
keep you from resting well. Pain relief may allow your body to
catch up on the rest you need. Thus, you may sleep more than usual.
If you continue to feel sleepy after the first 2-3 days, notify
your doctor or nurse.
Dry Mouth
- Drink plenty
of fluids
- Take good
care of your teeth and gums and rinse your mouth frequently.
- Eating pineapple
chunks, popsicles, shakes, yogurt, sugarless gum or hard sugarless
candy may help moisten your mouth.
Difficulty
Urinating
- Difficulty
urinating does not occur often in patients treated with pain medicine.
If you have this side effect, give yourself plenty of time to
urinate. Running water, drinking plenty of fluids, and setting
aside time for urinating may help. If this problem continues,
tell your nurse or doctor.
Confusion
- Confusion,
hallucinations, or nightmares may occur with pain medicine. This
may be very frightening to you. Tell your nurse or doctor if you
have any of these problems. They may want to change your medications.
Withdrawal
- Opioids
should not be stopped abruptly because uncomfortable withdrawal
symptoms may occur. These symptoms may include shakiness, heart
palpitations, sweating, and anxiety. Normally, opioids are slowly
tapered over time if you do not need them anymore.
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