Opioids are narcotic pain relievers that require a prescription from a medical professional. When they are prescribed for you and taken properly, opioids can be a safe and effective dental pain management tool.
What Types of Drugs are Considered Opioids?
Opioids can include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin or Percocet), morphine and codeine.
How Will Dr. Romano Help Me Manage Pain?
Over-the-counter medicines, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can be effective for pain relief following dental procedures. Still, there is no one-size-fits all approach to treatment. To help Dr. Romano decide what course of action is right for you, make sure you update your health history form, talk to Dr. Romano about medications you are currently taking and ask plenty of questions. Feel free to include your primary medical doctor in the conversation. If you are in recovery or struggled with addiction in the past, tell Romano Dental. Your privacy is respected and your medical information is legally protected.
What Should I Do If I Am Prescribed an Opioid?
If you are prescribed an opioid, ask Dr. Romano and your pharmacist the following questions before filling the prescription:
- What is the goal of this prescription?
- When and how should I take these?
- How long should I take these drugs?
- Are there any risks for me from this medication?
- What do I do with any extra medication?
How Should I Store and Dispose of Leftover Medication?
After picking up your prescription, take it according to directions. Store it safely out of sight and out of reach from children in a locked cabinet. Put the medication back immediately after taking any dose.
Unfortunately, prescription medications have become a leading source of drug abuse among teens and young adults. These medications are often obtained from a friend or family member who had received a prescription for a legitimate purpose. Parents are sometimes fooled into handing over these drugs to treat an apparent symptom of physical distress or pain. More often, they are stolen from the medicine cabinet or lifted from the trash.
You play an important role in keeping prescription medications from becoming a source of abuse in your household and in the community. Keep your narcotic pain medication in a locked cabinet. Dispose of unused, unwanted or expired prescription medications safely and immediately to reduce the risk of another person taking these drugs for nonmedical reasons.
Follow these guidelines from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy:
Follow any disposal instructions on the label or patient information you get with your prescription.
Don’t flush medicines down the toilet or pour them down the sink unless the disposal instructions say to do so.
If there are no disposal instructions, participate in a drug take-back day or find a Controlled Substance Public Disposal Location near you.
If you are unable to attend a drug take-back day, take unwanted prescription medications out of the original bottle and mix them with coffee grounds or kitty litter in a sealed bag or closed container. This makes medications less appealing and less recognizable to anyone who can see your trash—including your kids.
Remove all personal information from prescription bottles to protect your privacy.
When taken as prescribed for short periods of time under the care of a medical professional, opioids are safe to use. Abusing opioids is extremely dangerous. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, even one large, misused dose can cause “severe respiratory depression and death.” The American Dental Association is working educate dentists on safe prescribing of opioids and help stop this trend of addiction.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It’s confidential, free and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.