1
Opioids are medicines that may be used to treat pain. Opioids also are called “opiates” or “narcotics.” Opioids
can be dangerous, even when prescribed and taken responsibly. Taking opioids at any dose may be harmful.
We want to make sure you have the information and strategies to keep yourself and others safe when using
these medicines.
Prescription Opioid Medicines Include:
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®)
• Oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet®, Endocet®,)
• Morphine (MS Contin®, Kadian®, Oramorph SR®)
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®)
• Fentanyl (Duragesic®)
• Codeine (Tylenol® with Codeine #3, Tylenol® with
Codeine #4)
• Methadone (Dolophine HCL®, Methadose
TM
)
• Tramadol (Ultram®)
• Buprenorphine (Butrans®)
• Oxymorphone (Opana®)
• Tapentadol (Nucynta®)
Opioids also can come from sources other than medicines you get from your healthcare providers. These
include medicines not prescribed to you (e.g., from family or friends) and “street drugs.” Any medicine that
you did not get from a pharmacy with a prescription can have extra risks. The ingredients and strength may
not be known, for example, counterfeit pills may contain fentanyl or carfentanil (“elephant tranquilizers”). It is
important for you to inform your provider(s) about all medicines and substances you are taking as some can
interact to cause harm, including overdose and death.
Your healthcare team will talk to you about the best ways to treat your pain. Together, you will discuss the
goals for your treatment and how much relief you can expect from the dierent options. An example of a
goal would be to improve your ability to move, exercise, and participate in activities you enjoy.
Opioids are not the most eective treatment for long-term, non-cancer pain. In fact, opioids are no longer
recommended for the treatment of most patients with chronic pain. If prescription opioids are used, you will
be given information on possible side eects, other risks, and monitoring needed for your safety.
Over the past 20 years, we have learned several important things about using opioids for chronic pain.
1. Tolerance
When opioids are taken daily, your body gets used to the medication. Over time, the opioid will be less
eective at lowering your pain. Needing higher and higher doses to achieve the desired eect is a sign that
you may be at risk for addiction and overdose and should alert you and your team to reassess your pain
treatment plan.
2. Risks
Opioids come with serious risks that are outlined on pages 4 and 5. The most serious risks include
respiratory depression (stopping breathing - also known as “overdose”) resulting in death, and the risk of
developing opioid use disorder (from moderate to severe is also known as “addiction”). Increasing the dose
of an opioid will increase the risk of opioid use disorder, overdose, and other side eects.
3. Risk increases with other health conditions, medicines, and substances
If you have health conditions such as sleep apnea, breathing problems, liver problems, or kidney problems,
you may have a higher risk for overdose and side eects even with low doses of opioids. Drinking alcohol,