This guidance from Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing provides information for prescribers on the myths and facts of opioid treatment for chronic pain and the dos and dont’s for acute and chronic pain management. The guidance has been distributed or endorsed by many provider groups and state Continue reading
Resource Tag: Prescription Opioids
What Parents (and Grandparents) Need to Know About Prescription Opioid Painkillers
This one page guide educates caregivers about the risks of opioid use for children and teens and provides advice for how to safely store medications, how to speak with physicians about any opioid prescriptions, and how to communicate with children and teams about the risks of opioid use. Continue reading
Talking with Your Medical Provider When You Are Prescribed an Opioid Painkiller
A one page guide for patients and caregivers on how to talk to health care providers about prescription opioids. Includes information about medical conditions that increase the risks of opioid painkillers, how to talk with providers about appropriate dose and length of treatment, and asking appropriate questions about Continue reading
How to Safely Dispose of Leftover Prescription Medication
A one page guide for patients and caregivers on why unused prescription drugs should not be kept in the house and how to safely dispose of leftover medications including opioids. Continue reading
How to Reduce Your Risk of Overdosing from Prescription Painkillers
A one page guide for patients and caregivers on how to reduce their risk of overdosing from prescription painkillers, how to recognize an overdose, and what to do if you suspect someone has overdosed. Continue reading
Opioid Painkillers: What you Need to Know Before You Start Taking Them
This one page informational document provides information about the side effects and potential serious reactions of taking prescription opioids for patients and caregivers who may not be aware of the risks of these medications. Continue reading
Opioid Painkillers: How They Work and Why They Can Be Risky
This 2 page information guide for patients and caregivers explains what opioids are, how they work, how they can lead to death or the development of tolerance, and the relative effectiveness of opioids and non-opioid pain killers. Prepared by the National Safety Council, this publication recommends patients Continue reading
Prescription Opioids & Heroin
This 2018 report prepared by the National Institute on Drug Abuse discusses the relationship between prescription opioids and heroin. The report covers such topics as the risks of progression to heroin use after a prescription opioid, facts about heroin use including that use is driven by low cost and high availability, Continue reading
Opioid Facts for Teens
This 24 page report from 2018 provides information for teens about opioids covering such topics as the risks of addiction and overdose, facts about prescription and illegal opioids, information about safe use of prescription drugs, the effects of opioids on the body, opioid withdrawal, and how to treat addiction and overdose. Continue reading
Mind Matters: The Body’s Response to Opioids
An education publication directed at children and youth, this 5 page guide explains what opioids are, including nick names for common drugs, and explains how using opioids can affect your body and eventually reduce your ability to enjoy the things that make you happy. The publication was prepared by theNational Institute on Drug Abuse’s Mind Matters program. Continue reading