Opioids or narcotic medications are used in pain management when pain is severe and other treatments such as analgesic medications or NSAIDs do not offer symptomatic relief or have intolerable side effects, or when surgery is delayed or contraindicated. Opioid medications act by binding to the opioid receptors in the nervous system to prevent the sensation of pain. Common opioids include morphine, codeine, fentanyl and oxycodone.
Though opioids offer good pain relief they are known to cause side effects such as dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and constipation. Overdose may lead to respiratory depression. Once pain is under control, the dose needs to be gradually reduced or it can cause withdrawal effects. Opioids are also known to cause addiction.
Because of possible toxicity to the body, physical dependence, the loss of efficacy due to developmental tolerance and psychological dependence or addiction, opioid medical care or narcotic administration is widely rejected in the treatment of chronic pain. Opioids may be prescribed for patients with severe, chronic pain who experience high levels of comfort while not developing toxicity to the body or having any indication of psychological dependence or addiction. Opioid therapy should be considered as the last treatment option in cases of unrelieved pain despite alternative medications (such as the use of non-opioid drugs). Patients should be informed regarding the side effects of opioids and suggested to follow-up with their doctor regularly. Monthly appointments should be scheduled to assess the dose of the drug until the patient experiences partial or complete relief from pain.