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Safe Use of Opioid Pain Relievers

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SAFE USE OF OPIOID PAIN RELIEVERS Beacon Hospital Sandyford Dublin 18 D18 AK68 Tel 01 293 6600 www beaconhospital ie Version 1 6 22 PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

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SAFE USE OF OPIOID PAIN RELIEVERS PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET This leaflet will provide you with information on the safe use of pain relievers called opioids These have been included on your discharge prescription Whilst you were in hospital you were taking strong pain relievers called opioids e g Morphine Oxycontin Oxynorm Tramadol Tapentadol Palexia or Codeine Different types of pain relievers are included on your discharge prescription to ensure you can complete exercises and increase your level of activity Opioids work well for short term pain relief but they can have significant side effects and are addictive The risk of developing problems with opioids increases the longer you take them It is important that opioids are used for the shortest time possible and at the lowest dose possible Side Effects Possible side effects of opioids include Constipation Nausea Drowsiness Headache Reduced appetite Vivid dreams Dizziness Dry mouth and itching Discharge Following discharge you can start to reduce the number of pain medications you are taking as your discomfort decreases Strong opioid medications should be the first pain relievers to be reduced If you were on opioids prior to surgery you should aim to reduce down to the dose you were previously on Please see you GP Consultant who prescribed these medications to discuss further reduction If you were on pain relievers for nerve pain such as Gabapentin or Pregabalin before you came into hospital please see the GP or Consultant who prescribed these to discuss the possibility of reducing your dose These medications should be weaned down and not stopped abruptly if you were taking them prior to admission Important NEVER share your medication with others Keep all medications out of reach of children and pets Opioids can make you drowsy check your insurance before you consider driving Taking opioids with alcohol could make you feel drowsy and is not recommended Bring any left over medications to your pharmacy for safe disposal References Arwi C Schug S 2020 Potential fo harm associated with discharge opioids after hospital stay A systematic review Drugs 80 6 573 585 National Prescribing Service NPS Medicinewise Managing pain and opioid medicines www choosingwisely org au

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SAFE USE OF OPIOID PAIN RELIEVERS PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET This leaflet will provide you with information on the safe use of pain relievers called opioids These have been included on your discharge prescription Whilst you were in hospital you were taking strong pain relievers called opioids e g Morphine Oxycontin Oxynorm Tramadol Tapentadol Palexia or Codeine Different types of pain relievers are included on your discharge prescription to ensure you can complete exercises and increase your level of activity Opioids work well for short term pain relief but they can have significant side effects and are addictive The risk of developing problems with opioids increases the longer you take them It is important that opioids are used for the shortest time possible and at the lowest dose possible Side Effects Possible side effects of opioids include Constipation Nausea Drowsiness Headache Reduced appetite Vivid dreams Dizziness Dry mouth and itching Discharge Following discharge you can start to reduce the number of pain medications you are taking as your discomfort decreases Strong opioid medications should be the first pain relievers to be reduced If you were on opioids prior to surgery you should aim to reduce down to the dose you were previously on Please see you GP Consultant who prescribed these medications to discuss further reduction If you were on pain relievers for nerve pain such as Gabapentin or Pregabalin before you came into hospital please see the GP or Consultant who prescribed these to discuss the possibility of reducing your dose These medications should be weaned down and not stopped abruptly if you were taking them prior to admission Important NEVER share your medication with others Keep all medications out of reach of children and pets Opioids can make you drowsy check your insurance before you consider driving Taking opioids with alcohol could make you feel drowsy and is not recommended Bring any left over medications to your pharmacy for safe disposal References Arwi C Schug S 2020 Potential fo harm associated with discharge opioids after hospital stay A systematic review Drugs 80 6 573 585 National Prescribing Service NPS Medicinewise Managing pain and opioid medicines www choosingwisely org au

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SAFE USE OF OPIOID PAIN RELIEVERS Beacon Hospital Sandyford Dublin 18 D18 AK68 Tel 01 293 6600 www beaconhospital ie Version 1 6 22 PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET