Five Steps to Properly Manage Opioid Medication

Our medicine shoppe in Cape Coral, Florida happily provides you with a variety of medications to treat common health concerns. But some of them require extensive medical consideration. These include opioids.

Opioids are prescribed for treating chronic pain, a common health issue caused by a variety of conditions. While these are very effective, they are also addictive and liable for causing an overdose. Your physician and provider of medication therapy management in Florida play a key role in helping you safely use these potent medicines.

These are the steps you should take with your healthcare providers to use opioids properly:

1. Let your providers know about the drugs and substances you take.Keep a full list of your medications. Include both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Some of them interact dangerously with opioids. Also, be honest about your consumption of alcohol or illicit drugs.
2. Follow instructions to the letter.Take note of the labels and warnings on your prescribed opioids, as well as your doctor’s advice. These let you monitor your response to the medication and help you avoid potentially fatal side effects.
3. Report side effects to your physician immediately.If you experience symptoms like nausea, weakness, confusion, or severe mood changes, let your physician know at once. These may be caused by the opioids you are taking.
4. Always check the expiration date.Once your opioid medication expires, the effects can be unpredictable. To continue taking them will put your health at grave risk. Ask your physician how you can safely dispose of your prescription medicine.
5. Get your medication from the same pharmacy.Your chosen pharmacy plays a key role in maintaining the health of the community. A reliable one, like Castillo’s Pharmacy, has systems in place to track your prescriptions and determine the risk of interactions or side effects. Count on us to help you stay safe when you use opioid medication.

It’s always better to stay on the safe side when you have to take potent medication. Never hesitate to talk to our pharmacist or your physician to learn all that you need to know.

For more helpful information on medication management, pharmacy services, and diabetes care, stay tuned!