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Safety Measures Store Safely Keep opioids in a secure place away from children and others who might misuse them Do Not Share Your prescription is tailored to your needs and should not be shared with others Dispose Properly You can safely dispose of your opioids by bringing them back to your pharmacy Addiction And Dependence Dependence is a physical adaptation to the drug In contrast addiction is characterized by compulsive use despite harmful consequences seeking a psychological high If you are taking opioids for cancer pain as instructed by your doctor then addiction does not happen in most cases Useful Contact Numbers At Beacon Hospital Beacon Palliative Clinical Nurse Specialist 087 7382829 Beacon Level 6 Oncology Inpatient Ward 01 293 7530 Beacon Palliative Care Secretary 01 650 4699 Beacon Hospital Sandyford Dublin 18 D18 AK68 Tel 01 293 6600 www beaconhospital ie Version 1 05 2024 OPIOIDS FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT PATIENT INFORMATION THIS IS MODERN MEDICINE

OPIOIDS FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT PATIENT INFORMATION What Are Opioids Opioids are a type of medication often prescribed for the relief of moderate to severe pain They are particularly e ective in managing pain associated with cancer and its treatments Opioids work by binding to specific receptors in the brain and body reducing the perception of pain Opioids can be an e ective part of cancer pain management They are safe when used correctly and many people taking opioids to control their pain are leading normal lives It is crucial to communicate openly with your doctor or healthcare team about your pain and any side e ects you may experience Together you can work towards achieving the best possible quality of life during your cancer treatment Your pain will di er from other people s even if you have the same type of illness When you feel pain and how much you feel can vary daily and from hour to hour Types Of Opioids Opioids come in various forms including Weak opioids these are used for mild to moderate pain Examples include tramadol or codeine They are sometimes combined with other painkillers like anti inflammatories or paracetamol Strong opioids these are used for moderate to severe pain and include drugs like morphine oxycodone hydromorphone fentanyl buprenorphine or methadone Short acting strong opioids immediate release These provide pain relief quickly but for a shorter duration They are ideal for acute breakthrough pain Some examples include oramorph sevredol or oxynorm Long acting strong opioids extended release These provide pain relief over an extended period throughout the day and night Examples include MST or oxycontin as well as the transdermal patches Commonly a doctor may prescribe a long acting opioid to give a background of pain relief throughout the day and night They may also prescribe a short acting opioid to take in case of breakthrough or sudden acute pain Be careful not to mix up the two types long acting versus short acting and always stick to the prescription instructions from your doctor or healthcare team Pain can be di cult to control if not treated early How To Use Opioids Follow your prescription closely Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor Report your pain accurately Keep your doctor informed about your pain levels to adjust your treatment Avoid alcohol and certain medications Some substances can interact negatively with opioids increasing the risk of side e ects If you re unsure about this ask your doctor or healthcare team Possible Side E ects While opioids are e ective in pain management they can cause side e ects including Nausea and vomiting Constipation Drowsiness Itching Your doctor may prescribe medications to manage these side e ects but not everyone experiences them Nausea and drowsiness will usually subside after the first few days As long as you take the pain medication in the way that it is prescribed the risk of severe overdose and respiratory depression is extremely rare Some people might also have dizziness itching mental e ects such as nightmares confusion and hallucinations slow or shallow breathing or trouble urinating Speak to your doctor or healthcare team if you have any of these They may need to change your opioid to an alternative Opioids And Driving You should never drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel impaired or drowsy It is recommended to wait a few days after starting or increasing opioids before you get behind the wheel again This will allow your body to get accustomed to the medication or the new higher dose When starting to drive again keep the first drive short and it is a good idea to keep a copy of your prescription in your car