Opioids are sometimes prescribed after discharge from the hospital after surgery to help relieve pain at home.
These strong painkillers may cause unwanted unintended effects or harm, reminiscent of constipation, drowsiness, or the risk of addiction.
However, you may take steps to minimize this harm and use opioids more safely after recovering from surgery.
What varieties of opioids are the most typical?
The mostly prescribed Post-operative opioids in Australia include oxycodone (brand names include Endone, OxyNorm) and tapentadol (Palexia).
In fact, about half latest oxycodone prescriptions in Australia, according to a recent hospital visit.
Most often, patients will receive immediate-release opioids for pain relief. These are fast-acting drugs and are used to treat short-term pain.
Because they work quickly, their dose could be easily adjusted to your current pain level. Your doctor gives you instructions on how to adjust your dose depending in your pain level.
Then there are slow-release opioids, that are specifically formulated to release your dose slowly over about half to a full day. They could also be marked on the carton as ‘prolonged release’, ‘controlled release’ or ‘prolonged release’.
Slow-release preparations are mainly used for chronic or long-term pain. Thanks to the slow-release form, the medicine doesn’t have to be taken as often. However, it takes longer to achieve effect compared to an immediate-release drug, so it is just not commonly used after surgery.
Controlling pain after surgery is necessary. This will assist you to rise up and move faster and get better faster. Moving early after surgery prevents muscle atrophy and harm related to immobility, reminiscent of pressure sores and blood clots.
Everyone’s pain level and pain medication needs are different. Pain levels also decrease as the surgical wound heals, so you might need to take less medication as you get better.
But there’s also risk
As mentioned above, unintended effects of opioids include constipation and feeling drowsy or nauseous. Drowsiness may additionally increase the risk of falling.
Opioids prescribed for pain relief at home after surgery are often prescribed for short-term use.
But to one in ten Australians proceed to take them up to 4 months after surgery. One study found that individuals didn’t understand how to safely stop taking opioids.
This long-term use of opioids can lead to addiction and overdose. It may additionally reduce the effectiveness of the medicine. This happens because the body gets used to the opioid and wishes more of it to get the same effect.
Addiction and unintended effects are also more common slow-release opioids than immediate-release opioids. This is because people normally take slow-release opioids for a very long time.
There are also concerns about “residual” opioids. One study found that 40% of participants were prescribed them greater than twice the amount they needed.
This leads to unused opioids remaining at home could be dangerous the person and his or her family. Storing leftover opioids at home increases the risk of taking an excessive amount of, sharing it inappropriately with others, and taking it without medical supervision.
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How to minimize risk
Before using opioids, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about using over-the-counter pain relievers reminiscent of acetaminophen or anti-inflammatory medicines reminiscent of ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen, Brufen) or diclofenac (e.g. Voltaren, Fenac).
These could be quite effective in controlling pain and can reduce the need for opioids. They can often be used as a substitute of opioids, but in some cases a mixture of each is mandatory.
Other pain management techniques include physical therapy, exercise, heat or ice packs. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss which techniques will profit you most.
However, for those who do need opioids, there are a couple of ways to ensure that you might be using them safely and effectively: :
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ask about immediate release as a substitute of slow-release opioids to reduce the risk of unintended effects
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you must not drink alcohol or take sleeping pills while taking opioids. This may increase drowsiness and lead to decreased alertness and slower respiration
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as you might be at greater risk of falls, remove trip hazards from your private home and ensure that you may safely get off the sofa or bed and go to the bathroom or kitchen
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Before you begin using opioids, make a plan together with your doctor or pharmacist about how and when to stop using them. Opioids after surgery are best taken at the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time.
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If you might be concerned about unintended effects
If you might be concerned about the unintended effects of using opioids, talk to your pharmacist or doctor. Side effects include:
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constipation – Your pharmacist will give you the chance to offer you lifestyle advice and recommend laxatives
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drowsiness – do not drive or operate heavy machinery. If you are attempting to not sleep during the day but still go to sleep, the dose could also be too high and you must contact your doctor
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weakness and slow respiration – this may occasionally be an indication of a more serious side effect, reminiscent of respiratory depression, which requires medical attention. Contact your doctor immediately.
If you might be having trouble withdrawing from opioids
If you could have difficulty coming off opioids, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest alternative methods of relieving your pain and offer you advice on progressively reducing your dose.
Withdrawal symptoms reminiscent of agitation, anxiety and insomnia may occur, but your doctor and pharmacist can assist you to manage them.
What about leftover opioids?
When you stop using opioids, take any leftovers to your local pharmacy for secure and free disposal.
Do not share opioids with others and keep them away from others in your household who do not need them, because opioids could cause unintended harm if not used under medical supervision. This may include accidental ingestion by children.