Opioids are a type of analgesic,or medication used to control pain sensations. Because they are classified as narcotics, they are available by prescription only. Opioids work by attaching to certain receptors in the nervous system and changing the way the brain perceives and interprets pain. Opioids may be given in the following ways.
* Intravenously -- Small doses of opioids are injected, often via a pain pump, to provideshort-term pain relief. IV opioids are commonly used after major surgeries, such as a hip replacement or spine surgery.
* Orally -- Opioids may be taken by mouth in pill form or as a liquid, which is how most chronic pain medications are delivered. Oral opioids may be formulated to provide short-term or long-term pain relief, for a few or several hours respectively.
* Topically -- Opioidsmay be applied to the skin in patch form, which slowly dispenses a dose of pain medication through the skin. Used for long-term pain relief, patches may be effective for a few days at a time.
* Via Suppository -- More often used for cancer pain than for other types of chronic pain, opioid suppositories release slow amounts of the analgesic over a time period of up to twelve hours.
If you areprescribed opioids for chronic pain, chances are you will be using either an oral or patch form, or a combination of the two.
When Opioids Are Used For Chronic Pain
Opioid use may be considered when non-opioid analgesics have failed to provide pain relief. These include acetaminophen and NSAIDs. If these analgesics are not effective against your chronic pain, your doctor may consider somethingstronger. Opioids vary in strength, and some may be combined with other pain medicines.
If you're already on a short-acting medication and your pain which was once acute becomes chronic in nature, your doctor will likely transition you to a long-acting medication. Generally, long-acting drugs are preferred, as they provide more even and reliable pain control than their short-acting cousins; the lattermay still be provided to you, but simply for periods of heightened pain -- not the regular management of pain.
Opioids Used to Treat Chronic Pain
* Codeine -- Codeine is a pain medication that is taken by mouth. It is short-acting, meaning it lasts only for a few hours per dose. Codeine is often combined with acetaminophen, though it may also be administered with aspirin.
* Oxycodone --Oxycodone is available in both a short-acting and long-acting pain medication form. It may be taken on its own, or it may be combined with other analgesics such as aspirin or acetaminophen.
* Fentanyl -- Fentanyl is available as a short-acting pain medication in lollipop form, and it may be used for the management of breakthrough pain. A long-acting patch-form is also available, which can beeffective for up to 72 hours.
* Hydrocodone -- Hydrocodone, like codeine and oxycodone, may be combined with other analgesics such as aspirin or acetaminophen. It is a short-acting pain medication, and is very similar to codeine.
* Hydromorphone -- Hydromorphone is a short-acting opioid that is known to take effect quickly. It may be used in oral form, though injection and suppository forms arealso available. Hydromorphone is sometimes used in place of morphine.
* Morphine -- Morphine is one of the most effective opioids -- and also potentially one of the strongest. Though available in a quick-release lozenge form, it is most often injected by a healthcare professional at a hospital or clinic.
* Methadone -- Though it is commonly used as a weaning drug for some opioids or...