About Opiates

Opiates, also called opioids or narcotic analgesics, are prescription medications used to treat moderate to severe pain, according to the American Cancer Society. Opioids, considered the standard of care when treating pain associated with advanced medical illness, are also used for relief of ongoing, or chronic, pain. Common opioids include morphine, Dilaudid, Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin and Fentanyl.

How Opioids Are Taken

Opiates are available in many forms, including pill, capsule, liquid, rectal suppository, injection and intravenous infusion. Immediate-acting and extended-release, or time-released, formulations are available. Extended-release formulations are sometimes prescribed with fast-acting preparations and taken in case of "breakthrough pain." Extended-release pills and capsules contain enough medicine to last several hours and should never be chewed, crushed or broken due to rapid release of medication, resulting in possible overdose.

Side Effects

Most common side effects include nausea, sleepiness, itching and constipation, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. These side effects usually diminish after the first several days of treatment, except for constipation, which continues for the duration of therapy. The doctor should recommend medications to prevent constipation. Other side effects include vomiting and dizziness. Serious side effects include confusion, hallucinations or delirium, decreased depth and rate of breathing and difficulty urinating. Withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, difficulty sleeping, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

Addiction and Physical Dependence

A November 2006 article in the "American Journal of Psychiatry" defines "opioid phobia" as a fear of becoming addicted that prevents effective pain management. A clear separation between the ideas of addiction and physical dependence is important in preventing opioid phobia. Compulsive use of a drug, cravings and the inability to control use characterize addiction. Physical dependence occurs when the body adapts to an opiate, causing withdrawal symptoms when stopped abruptly.

Misconceptions

Prescription drug abusers perceive opiates as less dangerous, subject to less serious legal consequences and less stigmatizing than illegal drugs, according to a study in the April 2009 journal "Pain Medicine." These perceptions are false. Another misconception is that the use of opioids in terminally ill people shortens life, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Stephen Connor, vice president of research and international development for NHPCO, explains that although most clinicians understand the value of opioids to relieve pain at the end of life, the fear of hastening death contributes to needless suffering.

Warnings

Opioids can cause serious interactions when taken with alcohol, antihistamines, sleeping pills, tranquilizers and antihistamines, according to the American Cancer Society. A doctor should be aware if these medications are used. Problems, including trouble breathing, weakness, confusion and anxiety, can result even from small amounts.