Health Library Opioids for a Herniated DiscFrom Healthwise

Opioid medicines (narcotics) relieve pain by altering how the brain perceives pain.

Opioids are usually used to treat more severe pain that is poorly controlled after using other medicines.

Because these medicines can be addictive, they are usually prescribed for a short period of time (1 to 2 weeks).

Opioids are sometimes used to relieve acute pain caused by a herniated disc. Health professionals who specialize in treating pain in adults with degenerative conditions such as spinal osteoarthritis believe that opioids can be a responsible choice for treatment if pain is not relieved by other forms of treatment and you are unable to engage in daily activities.¹

Side effects of opioids include:

• Confusion, clouded judgment.
• Drowsiness.
• Nausea/vomiting.
• Constipation (which can increase back pain).

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

Limit your use of opioids to less than 2 weeks. Opioids are only meant for treating periods of extremely severe pain and are not intended for use until the pain goes completely away.

You may become physically dependent on opioids if you take them regularly. Physical dependence is not addiction, but rather a gradual change in your body in response to the opioids. If you stop taking opioids abruptly, you may develop nausea, sweating, chills, diarrhea, and shaking. These are symptoms of withdrawal from the opioid. This physical dependence is not life-threatening and can be avoided if the opioids are tapered off over a set period of time, as prescribed by your health professional.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Citations

1. Simon L, et al. (2002). Opioids. In Guideline for the Management of Pain in Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Juvenile Chronic Arthritis, 2nd ed., chap. 4, pp. 81–90. Glenview, IL: American Pain Society.

Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH	Last Updated: August 9, 2006
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics
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