WHAT DO I NEED TO
KNOW ABOUT OPIOIDS?
GET ANSWERS TO THE MOST FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OPIOID USE
Now that your doctor has prescribed an opioid to treat your pain, it’s important that you have the information
you need to take your medication properly. In addition to talking to your doctor about your medication, the
following guide can help you gain more knowledge about opioids and how best to use them, so
make sure to keep it handy!
WHAT IS AN OPIOID?
An opioid is a prescription medication that can be prescribed by a doctor to treat severe pain.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN AN IR AND AN ER OPIOID?
You may have seen or heard the letters IR or ER used to describe an opioid medication. These are 2 of the main
dosage forms your doctor may prescribe.
IR stands for “immediate release,” also known as short-acting opioids, which means that the medicine is rapidly
released in your body.
ER stands for “extended release.” With extended-release opioids, the medicine is released slowly over time in
your body. The effects of ER opioids can last longer, so you may not need to take them as often as IR opioids.
WHICH TYPE OF OPIOID
MEDICATION IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Your doctor will decide which type of opioid medication is right for you based on the conversations you have during
your office visits and several other factors. These may include your medical history, the intensity of your pain and
how often you feel it, and your preferences for how and when to take your medication. Let your doctor know if
you are not getting the results you need with your current treatment. There may be a more appropriate option.
WHAT DO I DO IF MY OPIOID MEDICATION
DOESN’T CONTROL MY PAIN?
It’s important to let your doctor know if your current treatment doesn’t control your pain.
Never take any more or any less medication than you were prescribed or change the way you take your
medication without talking to your doctor first. Together, you and your doctor can find a treatment
option that works for you.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT I TAKE MY MEDICATION
EXACTLY AS PRESCRIBED BY MY DOCTOR?
If an opioid is taken differently than prescribed, it can negatively affect the way it works. Often, misuse doesn’t happen
on purpose—many people don’t even realize they are misusing their medication or the consequences of misusing. In fact,
as many as 1 in 4 people misuses his or her opioid medication. That’s why it’s so important that you are aware of the risks
of misuse. By taking your medication exactly as it was prescribed, you can make sure you stay on track with treatment.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO MAKE SURE I DON’T
ACCIDENTALLY MISUSE MY MEDICATION?
Follow your doctor’s instructions and make sure you understand:
How often to take your medication
Stay on track with treatment with the following tips:
Do not take any more or any less of
your medication than prescribed
Talk to your doctor if you think your medication isn’t working for
you or if you think you might need more or less medication
Do not stop taking your medication
without talking to your doctor
If you have trouble swallowing or dislike swallowing your medication,
talk to your doctor. There may be another way to take your medication
Talk to your doctor about how much
medication you should take and
whether you should take it with food
Use a treatment journal to record your progress. Ask your doctor to
provide you with a journal if he or she hasn’t already done so
ARE ANY OPIOID MEDICATIONS
DESIGNED TO REDUCE MISUSE?
Newer opioid formulations known as abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) were designed to discourage opioid abuse and
reduce the risks associated with misuse. To do this, some ADFs use special technology or include another drug in
addition to the opioid, which can help reduce the effects if the medication is used incorrectly.
WHY ARE
ADFs IMPORTANT?
Opioids play a key role in the treatment of pain when they are used exactly as instructed by a doctor. However,
opioids can also harm people who take them differently from how their doctors prescribed. A goal of ADFs is
to help make sure people who are living with pain can get the relief they need with less chance of accidentally
misusing their medication.
REMEMBER:
If you have a caregiver or loved one who helps you with treatment, it may be a good idea to review the information
in this guide together.
Partner with your doctor to make sure your treatment plan works for you
and you understand how to take your medication exactly as prescribed.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY COLLEGIUM PHARMACEUTICAL, INC.
©2016 Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. All rights reserved. PP-XT-US-0038