Common side effects of opioid use and abuse include nausea, constipation, mental confusion, stomach pain, dry mouth, extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, addiction, and even death. However, the side effects should not be ignored. Side Effects of Opioidsįor people in severe pain, opioids can work wonders. The side effects can be highly unpleasant as well. While opioids work well as pain relievers or analgesics, while also bringing feelings of extreme relaxation and euphoria, they also have significant dangers of addiction and death. In addition to providing relief for acute pain and chronic pain, opioids also slow down breathing, heart rate, and mental functions. Prescription opioid medications are intended to treat severe pain, whereas illicit narcotics, like heroin, are used for the pleasurable rush and sedation effects.Īll opioids act on the central nervous system, binding to opioid receptors to block pain signals between the brain and the body. Opioids, also known as narcotics, are a class of drugs that include codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone, buprenorphine, methadone, and heroin. If a doctor prescribes hydrocodone or oxycodone to you or a loved one, we can help you understand the differences and similarities between the two.

Still, the high potential of developing a substance abuse problem should not be ignored. While they can potentially lead to drug abuse and misuse, for people battling cancer, experiencing chronic pain, or recovering from major surgery, narcotics can provide pain relief that other pain medications cannot. While it's not as common as it was 10 or 20 years ago due to changes in the law and rising awareness around opioid abuse, doctors still prescribe narcotic painkillers for patients.

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