Taking narcotics for back pain
Description
Narcotics are strong drugs that are sometimes used to treat pain. They are also called opioids. You take them only when your pain is so severe that you cannot work or do your daily tasks. They may also be used if other types of pain medicine do not relieve pain.
Narcotics can provide short-term relief of severe back pain. This can allow you to return to your normal daily routine.
Narcotics work by attaching themselves to pain receptors in your brain. Pain receptors receive chemical signals sent to your brain and help create the sensation of pain. When narcotics attach to pain receptors, the drug can block the feeling of pain. Even though narcotics can stop the pain, they cannot cure the cause of your pain.
Names of narcotics
- Codeine
- Fentanyl (Duragesic) -- this comes as a patch that sticks to your skin
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco)
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Meperidine (Demerol)
- Morphine (MS Contin)
- Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet, Percodan)
- Tramadol (Ultram)
Taking narcotics
Narcotics are "controlled substances" or "controlled medicines." This means that their use is regulated by law. One reason for this is that narcotics can be addictive. To avoid narcotics addition, take these drugs exactly as your health care provider and pharmacist prescribes.
You should not take narcotics for back pain for more than 3 to 4 months at a time. Even that may be too long for some people. There are many other interventions of medications and treatments with good results for long term back pain.
How you take narcotics will depend on your pain. Your provider may advise you to take them only when you have pain. Or, you may be advised to take them on a regular schedule if your pain is hard to control.
You need to follow some important guidelines if you are taking narcotics that your provider prescribed for you:
- DO NOT share your narcotic medicine with anyone.
- If you are seeing more than one provider, tell each one that you are taking narcotics for pain. Taking too much narcotic medicine can cause an overdose or addiction. You should only get pain medicine from one physician.
- When your pain begins to lessen, talk with the provider you see for pain about switching to another kind of pain reliever.
- Store your narcotics safely. Keep them out of reach of children and others in your home.
Common side effects of narcotics
- Narcotics can make you sleepy and confused. Impaired judgment is common. When you are taking narcotics, do not drink alcohol, use street drugs, or drive or operate heavy machinery.
- Narcotics can make your skin feel itchy. If this is a problem for you, talk with your provider about lowering your dose or trying another medicine.
- Narcotics can cause constipation. If this happens, your provider may advise you to drink more fluids, get more exercise, eat foods with extra fiber, or use stool softeners. Other medicines can often help with constipation.
- Narcotics can make you feel sick to your stomach or cause you to throw up. If this happens, try taking your narcotics with food. Other medicines can often help with nausea.
- Narcotics can sometimes make you feel anxious. You may feel agitated when you are coming off the narcotics. You should talk with your provider if you have those symptoms.
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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