Opioid Overdose
Source: MedlinePlus Health Topics, U.S. National Library of Medicine
What are opioids? Opioids, sometimes called narcotics, are a type of drug. They include strong prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and tramadol. The illegal drug heroin is also an opioid. A health care provider may give you a prescription opioid to reduce pain after you have had a major injury or surgery. You may get them if you have severe pain from health conditions like cancer. Some providers prescribe them for chronic pain . Prescription opioids used for pain relief are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by your provider. However, people who take opioids are at risk for opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose . These risks increase when these medicines are misused. Misuse can include taking more than your prescribed dose or taking it more often, using it to get high, or taking someone else's opioids. What is an opioid overdose? Opioids affect the part of the brain that regulates breathing. When people take high doses of opioids, it can lead to an overdose, with the slowing or stopping of breathing and sometimes death. What causes an opioid overdose? An opioid overdose can happen for a variety of reasons, including if you: Take an opioid to get high. Take an extra dose of a prescription opioid or take it too often (either accidentally or on purpose). Mix an opioid with other medicines, illegal drugs, or alcohol. An overdose can be fatal when mixing an opioid and certain anxiety treatment medicines, such as Xanax or Valium. Take an opioid medicine that was prescribed for someone else. Children are especially at risk of an accidental overdose if they take medicine not intended for them. There is also a risk of overdose if you are getting medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). MOUD is a treatment for OUD . Many of the medicines used for MOUD are also controlled substances that can be misused. Who is at risk of an opioid overdose? Anyone who takes an opioid can be at risk of an overdose, but you are at h