You’ll find that opioid medicines come with an information sheet called a Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflet. It’s usually provided by the pharmacist giving the medicines. If you weren’t given one of these, ask the pharmacist or look it up online with the NPS MedicineWise Medicine Finder.

The medicine packet will have directions on the correct amount to take and how to store the medicines. The doctor will also have given instructions on how much medicine to take and when.

Knowing the right amount of medicine to be taken each time, and when to take it is really important.  If medicines are taken more often than recommended, they can cause an overdose.

Check-in regularly with the person you care for to understand how the medication is (or isn’t) helping with their pain.

If people continue to take opioid medicines when they are not needed this can cause side effects or even dependence. Over time people can develop a tolerance to opioid medicines. This may make it seem like the medicines are not working anymore. The person taking the opioids may want to take more to reduce their pain.

Opioid medicines can cause dependence. They are not recommended for use over a long time except in special circumstances, such as cancer and palliative (end of life) care.

The prescriber or pharmacist will specify the dose and over what time period the medication should be taken for. If opioids are taken over a longer period than prescribed, it can risk health issues or possible overdose. You may need to support the person you care for to be aware of their alcohol and other drug use if they are taking opioid medicines.

If you are worried someone is taking their opioid medicines unsafely (see factsheet 3), there is support available.

Opioid medicines can result in unwanted side effects.

These can include;

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Breathing difficulties
• Constipation
• Depression

The information sheet that comes with the opioid medicines will outline how they should be used and any potential side effects.

It can be helpful to attend doctor’s appointments with the person you care for. As a carer, you can help by writing down important information that is talked about, in case you need to follow up later. You can also ask the doctor questions to help you better understand the medicine and how to help the person take them safely.

Aside from cancer treatment and palliative care, opioids are usually only prescribed for short periods of time. It’s important for the person you care for to be open and honest with their doctor about their pain, and if the opioid medicines are helping or not. This way you can have a conversation about whether opioid medicines are still the right medication to be taking or if there are other options.

Ideally, the person taking opioid medicines will have a pain management plan. This will help you both understand how the use of opioids fits into their plan and what other options there are to manage pain. This plan may include a timeframe to reduce (and eventually stop) the use of opioid medicines. If the person you’re caring for does not have a pain management plan, ask for one.

People can become addicted to opioid medicines over time if not used properly. In such a case, it’s really important you both talk to the doctor about a safe and supported way to reduce opioid use. This can help to avoid withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating, hot and cold flushes, aches and pains, nausea, and anxiety.

See the Health Direct website for more information.

Keep talking to the person you care for about their pain. There may be other options to relieve pain. Look at the Health Direct website for more information: at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/options-for-managing-chronic-pain.