Know the risks and precautions when using painkillers

Recent cases of deaths involving overdose of analgesics highlight the need for greater attention to the use of these medications. As much as doctors are afraid to prescribe these types of medications, this has not been enough to reduce the number of patients using opioids, especially opioids, which require strict care due to the risks associated with abuse, dependence and serious adverse effects. Opioids are effective in treating acute and chronic pain, but should be used with caution due to the potential for abuse and risk of overdose.

Main Care

_{Person with a hand full of pills (Photo: reproduction/Gundula Vogel/Pixabay)}

These medications should only be used with a doctor's prescription, as self-medication can be fatal. It is necessary to follow the correct dosage, because larger doses do not increase effectiveness, but may cause the risk of serious adverse effects.

To monitor signs, it is necessary to pay attention to signs of extreme drowsiness, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness, these signs may indicate the beginning of an overdose, where the person should seek medical help immediately if these symptoms occur.

Furthermore, you should not mix any type of medication with any other substance, especially opioids with alcohol or other sedatives, as this increases the respiratory risk, even causing death.

Statistics and recommendations

Recent data has indicated a dramatic increase in the number of opioid overdose deaths. In 2021 alone, 80,411 overdose deaths were recorded in the US, with many of them associated with the use of illicit fentanyl. However, overdose deaths from prescription opioids have risen more or less steadily, thus demanding an appropriate and controlled approach to the use of these drugs.

Awareness about the safe use of these medications and the need for regular monitoring are essential to prevent serious complications and ensure effective and safe treatment for patients suffering from pain.

Featured photo: person holding medication pack (reproduction/Fabio Pozzebom/Agência Brasil)