7 questions to ask when prescribed an opioid pain medication

Opioid misuse now rivals smoking as a leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Harvard Women’s Health Watch published by the Harvard Medical School.

Opioids are commonly prescribed to manage pain following surgery, injury or illness. Nearly one-third of all Medicare patients received at least one prescription for opioids in 2015, according to the U.S. Department of Human Services. Medicare spending on the most common opioids prescribed topped $4 billion in 2015.

“Opioid use and pain management is something we deal with constantly,” Dr. Michael L. Barnett, an assistant professor of health policy at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Policy, tells Harvard Women’s Health Watch.

Barnett says patients need to be involved in deciding whether an opioid prescription is right for them.

Here are seven key questions to ask about opioids:

1. Is this medication an opioid?

• Some common opioids are codeine, fentanyl and hydrocodone.
• Some common non-opioid medications are aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

2. Is it safe to take this with my other medications?

• Opioids do not mix well with drugs that treat anxiety, depression or insomnia.

3. Are there any non-opioid pain relievers I can take instead?

• An anti-inflammatory drug may work just as well.

4. Is this the lowest dose possible?

• You can always ask the doctor to increase your dose later, if needed.

5. May I have fewer pills?

• If you still have pain after you’ve finished your prescription, you can discuss options.

6. How should I taper off the medication?

• Talk with your doctor about gradually reducing the amount to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

7. Should I have some naloxone (Narcan) on hand?

• This drug, available in a nasal spray, reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.

Has your family been affected by the opioid crisis? What should be done about it? Who should lead the charge? Share your story with Voices for Affordable Health.