Narcotic painkillers
Examples
Generic Name Brand Name oxycodone hydrochloride OxyContin, Oxy.IR, Supeudol oxycodone and acetaminophen Endocet, Oxycocet, Percocet, Rivacocet oxycodone and ASA Endodan, Percodan Oxycodone is available as pills, controlled-release tablets, or as rectal suppositories. It is sometimes combined with acetaminophen or ASA.
Generic Name Brand Name morphine sulfate Kadian, M-Eslon, Morphine Sulfate, MS Contin, MS IR, Statex Morphine sulfate is available as pills, rectal suppositories, or a liquid you swallow. It is also given as a shot or intravenously. MS Contin are pills that supply a controlled release of morphine.
Generic Name Brand Name methadone hydrochloride Metadol Methadone is available as pills or as a liquid you swallow.
Generic Name Brand Name hydrocodone Codeine, Hycodan, Hycomine, Tussionex, Vicoprofen Hydrocodone is available as tablets, capsules, or syrups.
How It Works
Narcotic painkillers act upon specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord to ease pain and reduce your emotional response to pain.
Why It Is Used
Narcotic painkillers are used to ease pain caused by surgery, accident or injury, or chronic illness such as cancer.
Methadone also is used to treat addiction to opiates, such as heroin.
Hydrocodone also is used to control coughing.
How Well It Works
These drugs effectively manage pain.
As a treatment for opiate addiction, methadone is effective in reducing withdrawal symptoms.
Hydrocodone effectively controls cough.
Side Effects
Narcotic painkillers cause many side effects, including:
- Drowsiness.
- Light-headedness.
- Weakness and fatigue.
- Feelings of elation (euphoria).
- Dry mouth.
- Difficulty urinating.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Constipation, which may be severe.
- Talk to your doctor about laxative use to prevent constipation.
- You can prevent constipation at home. Make sure you drink enough fluids. Most adults should drink between 8 and 10 glasses of water or non-caffeinated beverages each day. Include fruits, vegetables, and fibre in your diet each day.
- Skin reactions, such as irritation, itching, or hives.
Narcotic drugs affect breathing and should be used with caution by older adults and people who have lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. A narcotic can cause your body to expect the drug daily if used for more than a week or so. This is called drug dependency. Dependency is not the same as addiction, which is a behavioural disorder marked by craving a drug.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Narcotics may affect your balance, coordination, and your ability to think. Do not drive or operate any type of equipment if you are taking a narcotic painkiller.
Do not drink alcohol or use other drugs while you are taking a narcotic painkiller.
Narcotics can interact with many other drugs. Make sure that your doctor knows all the drugs you are taking.
Narcotics should be used with caution after a head injury.
Narcotics should be used during pregnancy only if the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the fetus. These drugs can pass through your body in breast milk and should not be used while you are breast-feeding.
Sometimes a narcotic painkiller is combined with acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ASA. If that is true in your case, do not take more acetaminophen or ASA unless your doctor tells you to.
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| Author: | Carrie Henley Cynthia Tank | Last Updated: March 9, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Examples | |
| How It Works | |
| Why It Is Used | |
| How Well It Works | |
| Side Effects | |
| What To Think About | |