Examples
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Tylenol with Codeine | acetaminophen and codeine phosphate |
| Lortab, Norco, Vicodin | hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen |
| Percodan | oxycodone and aspirin |
Why It Is Used
Opioids are usually used to treat more severe pain that is poorly controlled after using other medicines.
Because these medicines can be addictive, they are usually prescribed for a short period of time (1 to 2 weeks).
How Well It Works
Opioids are sometimes used to relieve acute pain caused by a herniated disc. Health professionals who specialize in treating pain in adults with degenerative conditions such as spinal osteoarthritis believe that opioids can be a responsible choice for treatment if pain is not relieved by other forms of treatment and you are unable to engage in daily activities.1
Side Effects
Side effects of opioids include:
- Confusion, clouded judgment.
- Drowsiness.
- Nausea/vomiting.
- Constipation (which can increase back pain).
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Limit your use of opioids to less than 2 weeks. Opioids are only meant for treating periods of extremely severe pain and are not intended for use until the pain goes completely away.
You may become physically dependent on opioids if you take them regularly. Physical dependence is not addiction, but rather a gradual change in your body in response to the opioids. If you stop taking opioids abruptly, you may develop nausea, sweating, chills, diarrhea, and shaking. These are symptoms of withdrawal from the opioid. This physical dependence is not life-threatening and can be avoided if the opioids are tapered off over a set period of time, as prescribed by your health professional.
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Credits
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics |
| Last Updated | August 9, 2006 |
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