2023-04-18 08:34:26
As part of the prevention of the risk of opioid overdose, the High Authority for Health (HAS) provides two information documents for users suffering from chronic pain or drug users.
The HAS reminds us that all opioid drugs expose people to risk of use disorder (TUO)of addiction or of overdose. They present a benefit/risk balance which depends on the dose received, hence the need to discuss with the prescribing doctor throughout the treatment, in particular because of the possible occurrence of a large number ofside effects (nausea, vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, tremors, itching, vigilance, cognitive, mood disorders, sleep disorders, libido).
Opioids may be prescribed to relieve chronic pain of a patient (low back pain, lumboradiculalgia, osteoarthritis, neuropathies, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases, cancer-related pain, etc.) who may also be drug user. To prevent the opioid use disorder (OUD), combining abuse and addiction or dependence with a strong impact on personal, social and professional life, it is necessary to respect the prescribed doses, the schedules of intake, the duration of treatment as well as the route of administration . The HAS emphasizes this: treatment with opioids should not be changed without discussing it with the prescribing doctor.
Opioid medications include:
– natural derivatives of opium or opiates: codeine, morphine, opium;
– semi-synthetic compounds: buprenorphine, dihydrocodeine, hydromorphone, nalbuphine;
– synthetic compounds: fentanyl, methadone, oxycodone, tramadol.
Alcohol combined with opioids increases the risk of coma and respiratory failure. Opioids combined with other medications (anxiolytics, neuroleptics, paracetamol, etc.) also pose risks.
A particular caveat concerns identification of an “overdose”, assimilated to an “overdose”, and the need in certain cases to have a antidote. This is a ‘ready to use’ naloxone kit. She acts quickly while waiting for help to arrive. It exists in two forms, nasal spray and intramuscular injection, which can be used by anyone, even without being a healthcare professional. They are available from hospitals and town pharmacies on prescription.
Do not store opioids limits the risk of overdose, return unused drugs to the pharmacist, do not offer them to another person.
• Chronic pain – Preventing the risk of opioid overdose, user document (PDF), HAS, April 2023.
• Drug users – Preventing the risk of opioid overdose, user document (PDF), HAS, April 2023.
Read also
Proper use of opioid medications: analgesia, prevention and management of use disorder and overdoses – Recommendation for good practice – Posted on March 24, 2022
1681812945
#Opioid #overdose #informs #users
