Opioid Pain Medication

When an individual has a muscle ache or headache, an over-the-counter pain medicine is enough to make you feel better in most cases. But if your pain is stronger, your healthcare provider might recommend something stronger- a prescription opioid.

So, what are opioids? Are opioids a good choice for your treatment? Let’s learn about opioid pain medication in detail in this guide.

What Is An Opioid Pain Medication?

Opioid pain medications are a class of drugs used to reduce moderate to severe pain. They can be made either from the opium poppy plant or in the laboratory.

Opioid pain medications are usually safe when taken for a short duration and as prescribed by a doctor, but they can be highly addictive because they can make people feel very relaxed and high, which is why it is often misused or abused [1] [2].

What Are Opioids Approved For?

Prescription opioids are used for relieving moderate to severe pain. This can include:

• Cancer-related pain.
• Post-surgical pain
• Soma types of acute pain (sudden and short-term)
• Vascular pain, such as acute sickle-cell crisis.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved the use of some opioids to treat chronic diarrhea and intense coughing [3].

How Do Opioids Work?

Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body, especially receptors that are related to pleasure and pain. Once the opioid receptors are activated, they initiate a cascade of chemical reactions that modulate the transmission of pain signals [4].

Types Of Opioid Pain Medication

Opioids are classified into various groups:

Natural Opioids

Natural opioids contain substances such as morphine and codeine, which are derived from the opium poppy plant. Morphine is often used to relieve severe pain, whereas Codeine is used for moderate pain.

Synthetic Opioids

Synthetic opioids are those opioids that are synthesized in a laboratory and act on the same targets in the brain as natural opioids to produce pain relief effects. Some examples of synthetic opioid pain medication are fentanyl, tapentadol, tramadol, and methadone [5].

Out of all these synthetic opioids, Tapentadol is the most sought-after opioid. It is available under various brand names in the market, such as Noosanta, Topcynta, Tapaday, and Aspadol.

Aspadol is the most desirable brand version of Tapentadol. It is available in 100 mg and 200 mg dosage strength, with Aspadol 100 mg being the most frequently used dosage.

Semi-Synthetic Opioids

Semi-synthetic opioids are those that are produced from the original compound in the poppy plant and then synthesized with non-natural compounds. Examples include oxycodone, hydrocodone, and buprenorphine [6].

Opioids Drug Interaction

It’s important to inform your healthcare provider which medicines, supplements, or other substances you’re taking before starting opioid medicines.

Medications and substances that may interact with opioid pain medicines include –

• Certain antidepressants
• Marijuana/cannabis
• Antibiotics such as clarithromycin
• Medications for sleep disorders, such as zolpidem
• Alcohol
• Anti-seizure medicines such as carbamazepine
• Certain antiretroviral drugs used for HIV, such as ritonavir, indinavir, and atazanavir.
• Medications used to treat nerve pain, such as pregabalin and gabapentin.

Opioid Pain Medication Side Effects

Common side effects of opioids include constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, respiratory depression, and nausea and vomiting.

Serious side effects of opioid pain medication are itchy skin, muscle rigidity, hormonal and immune system dysfunction, dry mouth, arrhythmia (improper breathing of the heart), and quick, involuntary muscle jerks.

Precautionary Measures

It is crucial to be careful when taking opioid pain medication. Some of the precautions that one should follow while taking this medicine are –

• Take your opioid pain medication exactly as prescribed by a doctor, and do not take extra doses.
• Do not chew, break, crush, or dissolve opioid pills.
• Contact your doctor if you have side effects after taking the medication.
• Check all the instructions written on the leaflet of the medication every time you take a dose.
• Opioids can make you sleepy; therefore, do not drive or use any machinery because that may injure you, especially when you first start the medication.
• Discuss all your medical history and pre-existing medical conditions with a healthcare provider before taking opioids.

Risks Associated With Opioid Use

Opioids are highly effective but require careful management since they possess potential health risks, which include overdose, withdrawal symptoms, and dependency.

Opioid Overdose

Opioid overdose happens when an individual takes the drug in larger quantities than are physically tolerated. Three key signs of opioid overdose are loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, and pinpoint pupils.

Causes Of Opioid Overdose

An opioid overdose can happen for a variety of reasons, including if you:

• Take the drug to get high.
• Take the opioid pain medication too often.
• Mix an opioid with other medicines, alcohol, or illegal drugs.
• Consume an opioid medication that was prescribed for someone else.

In the event of an opioid overdose, seek emergency medical help.

Opioid Addiction And Dependence

Opioids are highly addictive because these medications not only relieve pain but also create a sense of euphoria, which many people find pleasurable.

People using opioids regularly soon develop tolerance to these effects. They may then use more and more of the drug to get the original effects of the medication. Long-term use of opioids can lead to physical and psychological dependence.

People are psychologically dependent on opioids when the drug is so central to their emotions, thoughts, and activities that the need to continue it becomes a craving or compulsion despite the negative impact.

With physical dependence, an individual’s body has adapted to the presence of the opioid, and withdrawal symptoms happen if the individual abruptly stops taking the drug. Some of the symptoms of opioid withdrawal are insomnia, nausea, anxiety, vomiting, muscle cramps, perspiration, diarrhea, watery discharge from the eyes and nose, and hot and cold flashes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, opioid pain medication can be an excellent treatment option for moderate to severe pain. But, it is important to use them cautiously because of their potential to cause addiction. Therefore, talk to a healthcare provider about whether this medication is right for you or not.