Medication Information

Accessing prescribed narcotics

Opioids Class of pain-relieving medication that work by blocking pain signals in the brain. Examples include drugs like morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. are medications used to manage moderate to severe pain. We have included some details about prescription opioids Class of pain-relieving medication that work by blocking pain signals in the brain. Examples include drugs like morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. for pain management and information on talking to your healthcare provider about opioid use.

What are opioids and what are they prescribed for?

Opioids Class of pain-relieving medication that work by blocking pain signals in the brain. Examples include drugs like morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. are used for pain management. The most common prescription opioids Class of pain-relieving medication that work by blocking pain signals in the brain. Examples include drugs like morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. given to people with SCI are tramadol and oxycodone.

Tramadol is recommended as a second line treatment for reducing neuropathic pain A type of pain caused by nerve damage or dysfunction. It can feel like burning, tingling, or shooting sensations and is often chronic (long-lasting). , while oxycodone is recommended as a fourth line treatment. This means that tramadol will be recommended for treating neuropathic pain A type of pain caused by nerve damage or dysfunction. It can feel like burning, tingling, or shooting sensations and is often chronic (long-lasting). after other options in the first line of treatment have been used such as:

• Pregabalin
• Gabapentin
• Amitriptyline

Oxycodone is usually only prescribed if tramadol was not the best fit for you, ineffective or had intolerable side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. .

What should I ask/discuss with my healthcare provider before starting an opioid?

There are some questions and topics you should discuss with your healthcare provider as well as some key pieces of information they should be aware of prior to starting an opioid. See Module 4: Common questions to ask healthcare providers.

Information to share with your healthcare provider

• Your medical and personal history, including:
  • What else you have used to try to manage your pain (medications and alternative therapies/treatments)
  • If you are taking other medications (including prescription medications A medication that is only available with written instructions from a healthcare provider (e.g., doctor, dentist, pharmacist). , over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. medications, and natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). )
  • If you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse, substance use disorder Condition in which an individual has difficulty controlling their use of a certain substance (e.g., opioids, alcohol) despite harmful consequences. This disorder can lead to addiction and other health problems. , depression, or anxiety
  • If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on becoming pregnant
  • If you experience constipation
  • If you smoke (tobacco and/or marijuana)

What do I need to know when filling a prescription for an opioid from the pharmacy?

Depending on what province or territory you live in, there may be some differences in filling a prescription for an opioid from the pharmacy. You should always have a government-issued photo identification A piece of identification (usually a wallet sized card) that includes your photograph and personal information like name and date of birth. to present to the pharmacist when you are picking up your prescription opioid from the pharmacy.

You may be able to get your prescription opioids Class of pain-relieving medication that work by blocking pain signals in the brain. Examples include drugs like morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. delivered to your home or have someone pick them up for you. If someone, other than yourself, will be picking up your prescription opioid, you should call the pharmacy team in advance to tell them the full name of the designated individual. Make sure that the designated individual has their government-issued photo identification A piece of identification (usually a wallet sized card) that includes your photograph and personal information like name and date of birth. to present at the time of pick-up.

What do I need to know once I have my prescription and I am at home?

Once you are at home, it is important to follow the instructions given to you by your healthcare provider. Also, make sure to store your prescription in a safe place (e.g. in a locked cabinet or box, away from children and pets).

If you are taking an opioid for the first time, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. and risks, as well as what to do if you are experiencing them. Below, we have listed some common side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. and risks and included a symptom tracking sheet that can be completed if you experience symptoms that you think might be related to the medication.  

What are the potential side effects and risks of opioids?

There are some common side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. of opioids Class of pain-relieving medication that work by blocking pain signals in the brain. Examples include drugs like morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. including: constipation, fatigue and drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, impotence (erectile dysfunction) in men, difficulty breathing, dizziness and confusion that may lead to falls, and feeling high.

Some of the longer-term side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. and risks of opioids Class of pain-relieving medication that work by blocking pain signals in the brain. Examples include drugs like morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. include worsening pain, liver damage, increased tolerance, dependence Is a condition in which you develop a physical and/or psychological reliance on a medication. Your body becomes so used to having a drug regularly that you require that drug to function. , substance use disorder Condition in which an individual has difficulty controlling their use of a certain substance (e.g., opioids, alcohol) despite harmful consequences. This disorder can lead to addiction and other health problems. , infertility, overdose Taking a drug (or a mixture of drugs) in quantities that are much greater than are recommended. Symptoms of an overdose can be fatal or life threatening. , and withdrawal A set of symptoms that occurs when someone stops using a drug or medication that they’ve become dependent on. Physical symptoms include sweating, nausea and shaking. Emotional symptoms include anxiety and irritability. .

What do I do if I experience side effects?

If you experience a side effect after taking an opioid, you should document it so that you can discuss it with your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

Include information such as:

• Name of the medication
• Dose, date and time the medication was taken
• Side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. experienced
• Time the side effect was experienced
• How the side effect was dealt with (e.g. walk-in clinic, emergency department, no action)
• Any other notes about how you are feeling

We have included a tracking table that may help with this. This resource can be downloaded and completed on your computer or mobile device, or it can be printed.

What do I do in the case of an overdose?

Click here for more information on what to do in accidental or emergency situations related to opioid use.

What do I do if I want to stop taking my prescription opioid?

If you are taking a prescription opioid and want to stop, contact the healthcare provider who prescribed the opioid, or talk to your pharmacist. It is possible to experience withdrawal A set of symptoms that occurs when someone stops using a drug or medication that they’ve become dependent on. Physical symptoms include sweating, nausea and shaking. Emotional symptoms include anxiety and irritability. symptoms, such as chills, sweating, restlessness, pain, muscle twitches or spasms, and distress.

Therefore, if you would like to decrease your dose or stop taking the opioid entirely, it is important to adjust your medications in consultation with a healthcare provider. This process will be set up and explained to you and may occur over several weeks or months depending on the length of time you have been taking the opioid and the dose.

Proper disposal of unused opioids Class of pain-relieving medication that work by blocking pain signals in the brain. Examples include drugs like morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. is crucial for your safety and the environment. Do not flush medications down the toilet or throw them directly into the trash. Instead, return them to any pharmacy in Canada. Pharmacies accept expired and unused medications, ensuring they are disposed of responsibly and do not pose a risk to others or to the environment.