What are opioids and why are they dangerous?

When taken as prescribed by your doctor, opioid medications can safely help manage severe pain, such as the kind experienced after surgery. However, there are risks if these medications are not used properly.

The same qualities that make opioid medications effective for pain relief also make them potentially dangerous.

At lower doses, opioids can cause drowsiness, but at higher doses, they may slow your breathing and heart rate, which can be fatal. The sense of pleasure or euphoria that opioids provide can also lead to a desire to take them more frequently or in higher doses, increasing the risk of addiction. Addiction occurs when opioids have such a powerful effect on the brain and behavior that they disrupt your ability to control their use.

You can lower the risk of serious side effects by carefully following your doctor’s instructions and only taking opioids as prescribed. Be sure to inform your doctor of any other medications and supplements you’re taking. Discuss the benefits and risks of using opioids for pain management, and ask about alternative pain.

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