Opioids and Patient Safety

Opioids have been used for hundreds of years for their analgesic properties, and though they are often misused, there is no denying how vital they are for patients managing severe or chronic pain. According to the CDC, in 2014, two million Americans age 12 and older were dependent on or abusing opioids, and as many as one in four patients using opioids as pain management long-term are likely to struggle with addiction.

Nearly every imaginable medication can have negative effects if abused, but that is no reason to view medicine in a negative light. With careful monitoring, patients can lead healthy, normal lives while using opioids to control their pain. And when physicians who prescribe opioids work with the pharmacists who provide them work collaboratively to keep patients safe, the chances of misuse and addiction are dramatically lower.

Dangers of Opioid Use

To mitigate the risks of opioid use, it is important to understand the less well-known ways that they can affect patients, such as side effects and adverse interactions with other drugs.

Research shows than two-thirds of patients taking opioids are also being prescribed other medications to manage additional conditions. An article in Practical Pain Management Magazine cited that polypharmacy in opioid cases “can hinder achieving optimal analgesic effect or precipitate [adverse drug reactions] that prompt discontinuation of therapy and less than favorable outcomes.” A specific study was also cited in which patients with chronic lower back pain using opioids long-term experienced drug interactions 27% of the time, many of which were easily avoidable.

In addition to drug interactions, there are some uncommon side effects that should be considered. Though many physicians are well-versed in the side effects of opioids, such as constipation or headaches, less common side effects may slip under the radar—including hormonal disfunction and hyperalgesia. By consulting a pharmacist on these possible conditions, patients who are prescribed opioids can be monitored more effectively, and they won’t have to sacrifice their pain relief to prevent the exacerbation of other conditions.

Alternatives to Opioid Use

Unfortunately, addiction and opioid-related deaths are increasingly common in the United States, so it may be prudent in some situations to help patients seek alternative methods of pain relief in place of or in addition to opioids. Some of these alternatives include acupuncture, physical therapy, and behavioral therapy. Pharmacological alternatives also exist, such as certain anti-depressants and anti-inflammatory drugs.

To properly gauge the effectiveness of these treatments, it is vital to ensure that patients are closely monitored and that communication between patients and medical professionals happens frequently. Patients should also be encouraged to keep track of their feelings and any side effects they notice while undergoing opioid treatment or treatment with alternatives. The more physicians and pharmacists are kept in the loop, the more likely they are to be able to determine patient and address needs.

An open and honest dialogue between patients and medical professionals is the key to providing the best care, especially in the case of opioid use. Because opioids have the potential to be so dangerous, staying up to date on research about their uses and abuses can be a physician’s greatest asset. Pharmacists are ideally positioned to aid both patients and physicians with their insights into the lesser known dangers of opioids, and seeking their input ensures that patients can receive the safest and most effective care possible.