Dos and Dont’s for Opioid Therapy

Do…

• Follow your physician’s instructions carefully and ask any questions you have about taking or storing your medication
• Read the information sheet included with your prescription
• Report any side effects to your physician immediately
• Tell your physician if you or someone in your family has a history of mental illness or substance abuse such as being prone to compulsive behavior, using illicit drugs, or alcoholism
•  Know the difference between tolerance, physical dependence and addiction
• Use a pain diary to record your pain and how your treatment is working between your appointments
• Use one pharmacy to fill all prescriptions
• Safely store opioid medications – For instructions, see Tips for Safe Storage of Prescription Medications
• Dispose of any expired or unwanted medications – For instructions on how to do this, see How to Dispose of Unused Medications
• Keep track of when and how much medication you take
• Always double check you are taking the correct medication at the correct dose
• File a police report and contact your physician immediately if you suspect your medication has been stolen

Don’t…

• Change the dosage of your medication without the approval of your physician – Doing so may cause serious illness, injury, or death
• Share your medication with anyone
• Drive or use heavy machinery when first starting a new medication until you know how that medication will affect you
• Chew, cut, crush, or dissolve opioid tablets or patches and open opioid capsules unless specifically instructed to do so
• Use opioids to treat non-pain related conditions such as stress, irritability, or insomnia
• Mix opioids with alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines – All of these medications can cause your breathing to slow. Therefore, combining them can be fatal.