Narcotic pain medications are frequently prescribed in the US for the treatment of acute and chronic painful conditions such as postoperative pain control, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and degenerative arthritis flare ups.
Narcotics may be very effective, but they are not without risks. One of the most concerning risks is that of overdose, which may be fatal. It is very important not to take more than the prescribed dose, and also not to mix various sedating narcotics together or with other substances that may potentiate this effect. This may include alcoholic beverages or benzodiazepines like Valium.
Although overdoses are regularly seen in the public eye such as when a celebrity dies from one, they occur way too often. Sometimes patients overdose on narcotics on purpose, but typically it's just not being cognizant of the various cumulative effects. If a patient has severe pain, he or she may just simply take more and more out of desperation, with an unintended fatal result.
Less harmful side effects are typical and can include drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, or nausea and vomiting. Dry mouth is common, which if experienced for a long period of time may lead to tooth decay. Along with this, patients may experience nervousness, appetite loss, headaches, blurred vision, and constipation.
One major risk of narcotics is tolerance. This is when patients require increased amounts of narcotics to achieve the same effect of pain relief. This may result in a vicious cycle of narcotics with the patient needing substantially more than what their disease condition should require.
Additional narcotic potential complications can include bluish skin discoloration, clammy, cold skin, extremely small pupils, serious difficulty breathing or very slow breathing, sedation, drowsiness, decreased blood pressure or heartbeat.
In addition to these risks, patients taking these medications should inform their physician prior to taking narcotics:
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as antihistamines.
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Tricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline (Elavil).
Anti-seizure medicines, including carbamazepine (Tegretol).
Muscle relaxants, like cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
Sleeping pills, like triazolam (Halcion)
Blood-thinning drugs, including warfarin (Coumadin)
Naltrexone (Trexan, Revia). Cancels the effects of opioid analgesics.
Rifampin (Rifadin)
There are numerous narcotics that include acetaminophen in them, which may harm the liver if too much is taken. So awareness should be taken not to intake over 4 grams total per day.
In addition, extreme care should be utilized with narcotics and individuals should be sure to stay under the care of a physician and only take narcotics according to the prescribed dose.
Narcotics may be very effective, but they are not without risks. One of the most concerning risks is that of overdose, which may be fatal. It is very important not to take more than the prescribed dose, and also not to mix various sedating narcotics together or with other substances that may potentiate this effect. This may include alcoholic beverages or benzodiazepines like Valium.
Although overdoses are regularly seen in the public eye such as when a celebrity dies from one, they occur way too often. Sometimes patients overdose on narcotics on purpose, but typically it's just not being cognizant of the various cumulative effects. If a patient has severe pain, he or she may just simply take more and more out of desperation, with an unintended fatal result.
Less harmful side effects are typical and can include drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, or nausea and vomiting. Dry mouth is common, which if experienced for a long period of time may lead to tooth decay. Along with this, patients may experience nervousness, appetite loss, headaches, blurred vision, and constipation.
One major risk of narcotics is tolerance. This is when patients require increased amounts of narcotics to achieve the same effect of pain relief. This may result in a vicious cycle of narcotics with the patient needing substantially more than what their disease condition should require.
Additional narcotic potential complications can include bluish skin discoloration, clammy, cold skin, extremely small pupils, serious difficulty breathing or very slow breathing, sedation, drowsiness, decreased blood pressure or heartbeat.
In addition to these risks, patients taking these medications should inform their physician prior to taking narcotics:
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as antihistamines.
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Tricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline (Elavil).
Anti-seizure medicines, including carbamazepine (Tegretol).
Muscle relaxants, like cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
Sleeping pills, like triazolam (Halcion)
Blood-thinning drugs, including warfarin (Coumadin)
Naltrexone (Trexan, Revia). Cancels the effects of opioid analgesics.
Rifampin (Rifadin)
There are numerous narcotics that include acetaminophen in them, which may harm the liver if too much is taken. So awareness should be taken not to intake over 4 grams total per day.
In addition, extreme care should be utilized with narcotics and individuals should be sure to stay under the care of a physician and only take narcotics according to the prescribed dose.
About the Author:
Want to find out more about pain management Phoenix, then visit Preferred Pain Center's site on how to choose the best Arizona pain management clinic for your needs.
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