Patient was educated on contraindications for opioid pain medications use as follows:
- Opioid pain medications must be avoided or used cautiously in individuals allergic to other opioid analgesics, such as Hydrocodone, Morphine, and Codeine.
- Opioid pain medications slow down the bowel movements heavily and leads to constipation. Opioid pain medications must be avoided or used with extreme caution in chronically constipated patients, as they are at increased risk for episodes of ileus and intestinal obstruction with opioid pain medications.
- Opioid pain medications produce an intense feeling of drowsiness and dizziness, as a side effect to modifying the pain perception of brain. Patients can also experience hallucinations and mood changes due to opioid pain medications use. Opioid pain medications must be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals taking antidepressants and other psychotropic medications that have the potential to induce hallucinations and mood changes.
- Opioid pain medications are mainly metabolized by the liver. Some of these medications also have the potential to cause hepatic damage. Individuals with history of compromised liver function cannot metabolize opioid pain medications and this can lead to increased blood levels of opioid pain medications for longer duration, leading to toxicity. Opioid pain medications should be avoided or used with extreme caution in such individuals.
- Opioid pain medications are mainly excreted in the urine. Individuals with compromised renal functions tend to retain the drug in the circulation longer, thus resulting in toxicity. Opioid pain medications should be avoided or used with extreme caution in such individuals.
