June is National Safety Month
Take time to learn about opioid safety this summer!
What are opioids: Opioid is an umbrella term for pain control medications prescribed by a doctor, specifically to meet each patient’s needs.
There are different types of opioids, some of which you may already know of: Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Morphine, Fentanyl, Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Codeine
Opioids play a valuable part in pain management, and like other medications, should be treated with care and caution.
Let’s work together to use opioids safely:
Monitor, safely store, and properly dispose of opioids to avoid misuse.
Safely discard unused and expired opioids. To safely discard unused opioids, contact your local pharmacy, alcohol and drug center, or law enforcement agency. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website to learn about safe home disposal for certain medications.
Opioid medicines should only be used when needed and as prescribed due to their addictive nature. Even though addiction does not happen to everyone, opioid addiction can happen to anyone and can lead to permanent illness, injury and even death.
Talk with your health care team about the safest way to transition from opioids based on your medical needs and pain management plan. Withdrawal may occur if opioids are taken long term (over seven days) and are stopped without transition. Withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person and include: sweating, agitation, fatigue, muscle aches, runny nose, fast heart rate, difficulty sleeping, diarrhea, nausea, general discomfort, and vomiting. If these symptoms develop, contact your health care team immediately for support.
Be open with your health care team. Before you are prescribed opioids, tell your health care provider about all other medications and supplements you are taking to avoid interactions. Share if you or your family has a history of alcohol or drug addiction.