Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED and were given a prescription for an opioid pain medicine. Opioids are sometimes used when other types of pain medicine do not help enough. They can help treat short-term, or "acute," pain, like after surgery or an injury.
It's important to understand the risks of opioids and how to stay safe:
●Opioids have side effects. Some are just bothersome, and some can be dangerous:
•A common side effect is constipation. Ask your regular doctor if you should take a laxative and a stool softener while taking the opioid.
•Taking too much of an opioid is called an "overdose." An overdose can cause serious problems and even death.
●In some cases, taking opioids can lead to misuse. For example, people might take the medicine when they don't need it for pain. Sharing or selling opioids are other examples of misuse.
●There is a risk of addiction. This is also called "opioid use disorder."
●If you take too much, or take opioids with alcohol or certain other drugs, it can cause serious harm. It can even cause death from overdose.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your opioids or how to take them safely.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Take all your opioids and other medicines exactly as instructed:
•Take the opioid for the shortest time you need it to treat pain. It is OK to take it for less time than prescribed if you can manage your pain with other medicines like acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin).
•Take only the dose the doctor prescribed, and no more frequently than they told you to.
•Make sure you know what type of opioid you have. Read the label and the information that comes with the prescription.
•Ask the doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to take your other medicines with your opioid. Do not take opioids with medicines that make you sleepy, unless the doctor told you to.
•Take only the opioids prescribed for you. Do not share your opioids with other people.
•Some opioids come combined with other medicines like acetaminophen or an "NSAID" (like ibuprofen). Do not take any extra NSAIDs or acetaminophen without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first.
●Do not drink alcohol while you are taking opioids.
●Ask the doctor whether it is safe to drive. Opioids can make you feel tired or have trouble thinking clearly.
●Store your opioids in a safe place, such as a locked cabinet. This prevents children, teens, or anyone else from getting to them.
●Consider keeping naloxone with you. This is a medicine that reverses the effects of opioids. It can prevent death from an opioid overdose. Make sure you and your family and friends know how and when to use it.
●Follow your doctor's instructions about how to stop taking your opioid once your pain improves. Sometimes, this involves reducing the dose gradually, especially if you've been taking the opioid for more than a few days. If you stop an opioid suddenly, you might get symptoms called "withdrawal."
●When your pain gets better, get rid of any leftover medicine. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist well tell you how to do this safely. This might involve flushing them down the toilet or mixing them with something like dirt or cat litter, then putting the mixture in a sealed container in the trash. Some police stations and pharmacies also take leftover medicines.
When should I get emergency help?
●If you are taking an opioid, it's important to know when to get help. Signs of an opioid overdose include:
•Extreme sleepiness
•Slow breathing, or no breathing at all
•Very small pupils (the black circles in the center of the eyes)
•Very slow heartbeat
If you took too much of your opioid medicine or might be having an opioid overdose, someone should:
•Give naloxone immediately, if available. Naloxone can save a person's life. But it needs to be given as soon as possible.
•Call for an ambulance right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1).
●Return to the ED if you:
•Are short of breath
•Have chest or belly pain
•Feel weak
•Feel like your heart is beating very fast or slow
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you:
●Still have a lot of pain even after taking your opioids at the correct dose
●Have side effects that bother you, such as constipation or sleepiness
●Have new or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Taking opioids safely (The Basics)
Patient education: Opioid overdose (The Basics)
Patient education: Opioid use disorder (The Basics)
Patient education: How to give naloxone (The Basics)
Patient education: Managing acute pain at home (The Basics)
Patient education: Managing pain after surgery (The Basics)
