Opioid Pain Medications

If you suffer from long-standing pain, then the search for lasting relief is challenging. Chronic pain can interfere with everyday activities, so enjoy life on your own.

Opioid pain medicines, such as opioids, offer hope to individuals seeking relief and enhance their quality of life.

Are opioid pain medications a good choice for your treatment? Let’s find out.

Introduction To Opioid Pain Medication

Opioids, also called narcotics, are a large class of prescription medications used to treat severe or persistent pain. They are found in the opium poppy plant. Some opioids are made directly from the plant, and others are made in labs by scientists using the same chemical structure [1].

How Do Opioids Work?

Opioids attach to proteins known as opioid receptors on nerve cells in the spinal cord, gut, brain, and other parts of the body. As a result, opioids block pain messages sent from the body via the spinal cord to the brain, resulting in relief from pain sensations.

Uses Of Opioids

Opioids are approved for managing severe to moderate pain. This can include –

• Cancer-related pain
• Post-surgical pain
• Vascular pain
• Some types of acute pain (sudden, severe pain that lasts for a short period) [2].

Types Of Opioids

Opioids are classified into various types based on their mechanism of action, chemical structure, and formulation. Below are some of the different types of opioids.

Natural opioids

These types of opioids are directly derived from the opium poppy plant.

Some of the examples of natural opioids are morphine and codeine.

Morphine is often prescribed for severe pain when other medications do not provide effective relief from pain.

Whereas codeine, which is milder than morphine, is used often to relieve moderate pain.

Get detailed information on natural opioids by visiting the article on this subject by the popular website Medical News Today.

Semi-Synthetic Opioids

Semi-synthetic opioids, also known as human-made opioids, are produced in laboratories from natural opiates. Examples include:

Hydrocodone : Hydrocodone is an FDA-approved opioid medication. It is sold under numerous brand names, such as Norco, Vicodin, Zohydro ER, Lortab, and others.

Oxycodone : Oxycodone is another opioid medication that is available in different dosage forms, including as an oral solution and tablets. It is an excellent option for moderate to severe pain. It is available under Percocet, Percodan, Roxicodone, and others.

Synthetic Opioids

Syntheticopioids are drugs designed to mimic the effects of natural opioids.

Tapentadol : Tapentadol is one of the most powerful opioid analgesics approved by the FDA  for treating chronic and severe pain. It is marketed under various brand names, such as Palexia, Nucynta, Etadil, and Aspadol.

Of all these brands, the brand version of Tapentadol hydrochloride, Aspadol, manufactured by the leading pharmaceutical company Signature Pharmaceuticals, is the most desirable.

Aspadol has a quick onset of action, which is 30 minutes after administration. It has a lower risk of opioid-related side effects, making it a safer choice of analgesic.

If you’re interested in learning more about Aspadol, then explore our Aspadol 100 mg product page today.

Fentanyl : Fentanyl is designed for cancer patients who have pain that is not controlled by other medications. It is available in tablets, nasal sprays, lozenges, and patches. Some of its popular brands include Abstral, Fentora, and Subsys.

Methadone : Methadone is used to manage pain as well as for detoxification from illicit opioids, such as heroin. It is available as an oral tablet, liquid, or a small disc that can be added to water or other liquids.

Tramadol : Tramadol is an opioid pain medication sold under the brand name Ultram, among others. It treats moderately severe pain and begins to show its effects within an hour of administration.

Opioids Administration

Opioids are taken in tablet form, but they can also be taken as lollipops or lozenges. Some are taken through a vein, by injection,and others are administered through a patch placed on the skin.

Opioids Drug Interaction

It’s crucial to inform your healthcare provider which medicines, supplements, or other substances you’re taking before starting opioids.

Drugs and substances that may interact with opioid pain medications are as follows –

It’s crucial to inform your healthcare provider which medicines, supplements, or other substances you’re taking before starting opioids.

Drugs and substances that may interact with opioid pain medications are as follows –

• Alcohol
• Certain antidepressants
• Antibiotics such as clarithromycin
• Anti-seizure medicines such as carbamazepine
• Alcohol
• Certain antiretroviral drugs are used for HIV, including indinavir, ritonavir, and atazanavir.
• Marijuana/cannabis
• Medication used to treat nerve pain, such as gabapentin and pregabalin
• There are medications for sleeping disorders, such as zolpidem.

Side Effects Of Opioids

Common side effects include –

• Drowsiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Respiratorydepression—shallow and slow breathing rate.

Uncommon symptoms of opioids include –

• Muscle rigidity
• Hormonal and immune system dysfunction
• Itchy skin
• Dry mouth
• Quick, involuntary muscle jerks
• The condition is characterized by delayed gastric emptying, the process by which stomach contents move into the small intestine.
• Arrhythmia (improper breathing of the heart).

Long-Term Effects Of Opioids

Some of the long-term effects of opioid use are as follows [3]-

• Tolerance – As an individual takes repeated doses of opioids, the body starts requiring increased medication to experience the same effect of pain relief.

• Physical dependence – It’s also possible to become physically dependent on opioid medicines, which means if you stop taking them, you may experience withdrawal symptoms (such as anxiety, body aches, shaking, fever, hallucination, high blood pressure, rapid breathing, and other) and start craving the drug.

• Opioid Use Disorder – Opioid use disorder is a complex illness that causes compulsive use of opioid drugs even when an individual wants to stop.

Understanding Opioid Overdose

An opioid overdose can happen when an individual takes too much of an opioid or a combination of opioids with other substances, such as sedatives, stimulants, and alcohol.

Signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose include the following: shallow, slowed, or stopped breathing; pinpoint pupils; cold or clammy skin; unresponsiveness or unconsciousness; snoring or gurgling sounds coming from the mouth; and blue lips or fingernails.

To gain a detailed understanding of opioid overdose, click on Cleveland Clinic’s comprehensive guide, which provides in-depth information on its causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Opioids?

Discuss the following things with your healthcare provider before taking opioids.

• Whether there are other therapies and medications that might treat your pain.
• The benefits and risks of taking opioids.
• Your preexisting medical conditions.
• If you or anyone in your family have a history of substance use disorder.
• If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• If you use marijuana or street drugs.

Conclusion

Opioid pain medications are very potent drugs that affect your peripheral and central nervous system. Since it has the potential to cause addiction, it’s essential to make sure you follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for taking the medication. Do not take the drug more than your daily recommended dose.