Re: long term effects of opiates

[Guest guest]

Long-Term Effects

a.. Respiratory and circulation depression

a.. Dizziness

a.. Lowered libido

a.. Constipation

a.. Weight loss

a.. Coma

a.. Death

I personally think this if you go AGAINST the directions.

I don't do that, though I have asked if I am really bad can I take 2 of my

percocet and she has said yes.

I am still searching for this because I think this means in a 24 hour period

and I see the pharmacist so I may ask him for you too.

Granada

[Guest guest]

Here are a few links that should be helpful:

http://tinyurl.com/y5zr76

http://tinyurl.com/y75t2k

http://tinyurl.com/uc64c

This one is very technical, and for those who have a

great deal of knowledge about chemistry, and

pharmacology:

http://tinyurl.com/yce45s

If you have any questions about any medication

prescribed by your physician, ask about the possible

side effects, other medication, and food interactions.

Your pharmacist, is your best source of information.

If you are not given a handout, when you start a new

medication, ask for one.

If you are taking multiple medications, call your

pharmacist, and make an appointment. Then you can

review all your medications, and she/he can answer all

your questions.

Information online is excellent, but make sure it is a

reliable source.

Kaylene

Moderator

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

--- " vandyke_artist " wrote:

>

> I have been on some form of an opiate for 6 yrs. now. Does anyone

> know what problems are to come? I know my liver and kidneys must be

> damaged in the process though when does such damage occur and what

> physical effects will I experience?

Opiates themselves are relatively very safe from this perspective, if

taken as prescribed, and do not generally cause any sort of organ

damage.

It is the additional drugs that are included in the formulation of

some opiates - specifically Tylenol (acetominophin) that is included

in Vicodin and Percocet for example - that has the real danger of

doing serious liver damage if too much is taken or it is taken for

too long.

That is why it is always recommended that if you are going to be on

opiates long term, you insist that your doctor give you opiates

without acetominophin.

Cheryl in AZ

[Guest guest]

--- a wrote:

> My Kadian (morphine) doesn't have any in it, but the Lorcets do (I

take the 7.5/500 dose every 4 hours, so anywhere between 2000 and 2500

mg/day). They used to make a Lortab without the aceto, but not anymore.

Hi a -

Lorcet is just another brand name of Vicodin, isn't it? It's

hydrocodone and acetominophin.

I don't know whether or not you can get generic hydrocodone without

the acetominophin, but I do know that you CAN get a formulation with

LESS aceto. Norco is the brand name, but there are generic versions

that have 10 mg of hydrocodone and only 350 mg of acetominophin. That

would be a better option for you if you must stay on hydrocodone. At

least you'd get less aceto every day.

Also, since your doctor already has you on a long-acting drug

(morphine), I wonder why he has you at a dose that requires you to

take so many of the short acting " breakthrough " meds. The preferred

situation is to increase the dose of the long-acting drug so that you

don't need the short-acting opiate every four hours, but only

occassionally. If you're having to take the short-acting opiate every

four hours, it's not " breakthrough " pain - you're just undermedicated!

Just a thought.

Cheryl in AZ