Talking to your health care provider about opioids

About opioids

Opioids are medications that can help you manage short-term or acute pain when taken properly and with a prescription. They often do not take pain away completely, and they come with risks. However, they are legitimate medications you may consider as part of your overall pain management plan.

Some examples of prescription opioids include:

codeine
oxycodone
hydromorphone
morphine
fentanyl
methadone
buprenorphine

Buprenorphine and methadone are also commonly used to treat opioid use disorder ("addiction to opioids").

Opioids may not be as effective at managing pain that lasts longer than 3 months (chronic pain). If you have chronic pain, talk to a health care provider about how to manage it effectively.

When being prescribed an opioid

Always follow your health care provider's instructions. If you have been using opioids for an extended period of time, check in with them regularly to discuss:

whether the medication is addressing your pain management needs
whether the benefits outweigh the risks or side effects

Side effects

The short-term side effects of using opioids can include:

drowsiness
constipation
impotence in men
nausea and vomiting
euphoria (feeling "high")
difficulty breathing, which can lead to or worsen sleep apnea
headaches, dizziness and confusion, which can lead to falls and fractures

Long-term side effects can include:

increased tolerance (that is, requiring higher doses of the medication to produce the desired effect)
substance use disorder or dependence (also known as "addiction")
liver damage
infertility in women
worsening pain (known as "opioid-induced hyperalgesia")
life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in babies born to mothers taking opioids

Risks

Physical dependence

Continuous use of opioids, including for medical purposes, may lead to physical dependence. This is a natural reaction that may happen when the body gets used to a regular supply of the drug. This can occur within 1 to 2 weeks of use.

Withdrawal symptoms

If you suddenly stop taking opioids, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal, such as:

restless sleep
heavy sweating
chills
shakiness
increased pain
twitching and aching muscles
psychological distress

If you want to reduce or stop taking your opioid medication, talk to your health care provider about how to do so safely. If you have been on high doses of opioids or taking them for an extended period of time, you will need to:

come off them slowly, or
use another medication (like buprenorphine and methadone) to help manage symptoms of withdrawal

This process is often called "tapering", and may take several weeks or longer.

Higher-risk use and substance use disorder

Some people may engage in higher-risk opioid use because opioids can:

make them feel euphoric ("high")
increase their sense of wellbeing
reduce anxiety

People often associate higher-risk opioid use with illegally produced or obtained opioids. However, it also includes:

using an opioid medication improperly, such as:
- taking more than prescribed
- taking it at the wrong time
using an opioid medication that was prescribed for someone else

Tell your health care provider if you have a history of higher-risk alcohol or drug use, or if you start using opioids improperly. This may feel difficult, but it's important that they are properly informed.

Overdose

Opioid medications affect the part of your brain that controls your breathing. An overdose occurs when you take more opioids than your body can handle, causing your breathing to slow. An overdose can lead to unconsciousness, brain injury and even death.

How to prevent an overdose

Take your opioid medication as prescribed.

Do not use opioids and alcohol at the same time.

Talk to your health care provider if you use opioids with other medications.

If you take high doses of opioids, you may wish to have a naloxone kit on hand. This can temporarily reverse an overdose. Naloxone kits are available without a prescription at pharmacies.

Stop taking your opioid medication and get immediate help if you experience any of the following:

severe dizziness
inability to stay awake
hallucinations
heavy or unusual snoring
slow breathing rate

Learn more:

Naloxone

Other pain management options

It's important to discuss your pain management options with your health care provider. They may suggest non-opioid medications at first to reduce the risks. They may also suggest non-pharmaceutical therapies, such as physiotherapy and pain self-management strategies.

What to ask your health care provider

Any time you get a new prescription opioid medication, make sure you understand why you're taking it and how to take it safely.

You can always ask questions to better understand your options. For example:

Why am I being prescribed this medication?
What are the benefits of this medication?
When can I expect to feel better?
How much pain relief should I expect from this medication?
How long should I be taking this medication?
What dose should I take and how often?
Are there any alternatives to opioids that I could take?
What are the risks and potential side effects of taking opioids?
Is there a risk of substance use disorder ("addiction")?
How can I reduce the risks?
What if I have a history of substance use disorder ("addiction")?
How will opioids interact with my other medications?
What should I do if the medication doesn't work?
When should I return for a follow-up appointment to assess the benefits and potential harms of this therapy?
What happens if I feel better and feel I no longer need to take opioids?

What to tell your health care provider

To advise you properly, your health care provider needs all of the facts. Tell them:

your complete medical history
any concerns you have about taking an opioid
if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby
if you smoke
if you take other medications, particularly to treat:
- anxiety
- seizures
- sleeping problems
if you are undertaking other therapies or strategies to manage your pain
if you have a history of:
- high-risk alcohol or drug use
- previous or current substance use disorders
- major depressive disorder
- generalized anxiety disorder

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2026-06-08

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