For PATIENTS

FAQ

Find quick answers to common questions about opioids, pain, side effects, and safe use

Constipation FAQ

  • All patients with cancer, especially those taking opioid pain medications, should be checked for constipation. If left untreated, severe constipation can damage the digestive system.

  • Talk to your healthcare team if you experience any of the following signs of constipation.

    • Straining, or having trouble with bowel movements

    • Feeling like you need to go but can’t

    • Hard, dry, or lumpy stools

    • Feeling like you can’t finish your bowel movement

    • Having fewer than three (3) bowel movements a week.

  • Patients taking opioids should follow a “bowel regimen” — a daily plan to prevent constipation. This play may include diet and lifestyle changes to help soften stool and make it easier to pass, such as:

    • Drinking plenty of fluids

    • Adding more fiber to your diet

    • Walking, stretching, or other light exercises

    Your doctor might also recommend laxatives or stool softeners to manage constipation due to opioids or other medications. Talk to your healthcare provider about what is safe for you based on your cancer history.

Naloxone FAQ

  • Naloxone is a medication designed to counteract the effects of opioids. It can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose and potentially save a life. Naloxone nasal spray usually comes in packs of two applicators. Each spray applicator contains a single dose of naloxone for one-time use.

  • Naloxone is available by prescription or over the counter in most pharmacies. Many community programs and local health departments also give out naloxone for free. Ask your healthcare provider or local health department what is available in your area.

  • Patients may experience symptoms of opioid withdrawal when they wake up after using naloxone. These symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, shaking, and anger.

    Naloxone will not harm patients who have not taken opioids.

  • The Virginia Department of Health offers training on how to recognize signs of overdose and how to use naloxone for community members and first responders through the REVIVE! Program. Learn more about naloxone through the Virginia Department of Health.

    Other local health departments and community services boards may offer similar training in your area.

Pain Tracking faq

  • It can be hard to remember the details every time you have pain. Keeping a record can help identify patterns over time. Fill in this journal or tracking tool as often as you need to, even multiple times a day.

    This information can help you talk about the pain with your healthcare team. Together, you can make a pain management plan that lets you stay active and engaged in what matters most to you.

  • Use this tool to track information such as:

    • when, where, and how long you feel pain

    • how severe the pain is

    • what helps you feel better

    • anything else you may notice

    Make a note of any pain medications and non-drug techniques you use to relieve pain.

    Keeping track of what works and what doesn’t can help your healthcare team adjust your pain management plan.

  • Your doctor may ask you to describe your pain in terms of intensity (how strong it feels) and interference (how much it keeps you from doing the things you want to be doing).

    Along with a numerical rating scale (0-10) for measuring pain intensity, your doctor may use a functional pain scale to see how much your pain interferes with daily life.

    A low pain interference score represents milder pain that is distracting, tolerable, and may only interfere a little bit with some activities.

    Higher numbers represent severe pain that significantly interferes with your daily life and keeps you from doing some or all activities.

Opioid Storage and Disposal FAQ

  • Keep opioids and other medications out of reach of kids and pets. Use a locked cabinet or lockbox to store your opioids.

    Store opioids in a cool, dry place, and avoid extreme temperatures.

  • Using a pill organizer or other tracking system can help you make sure you are taking the right medication at the right time.

    Consider setting a repeating alarm, using a medication management smartphone app, or marking a paper calendar or tracker to help take medications at the right time.

  • If you have changed medications or stopped taking opioids before finishing your prescription, it is important to dispose of the leftover opioids safely. Do not hang on to old medications “just in case.”

    Ask your healthcare team how to safely discard unused or expired medications.

    Not all programs and drop boxes accept liquids, gels, or sharps (needles, auto-injectors) for disposal. Check with your local pharmacy or disposal facility to confirm what products are accepted.

  • If no safe disposal options are available, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a list of medications that can be safely discarded by flushing down the toilet. Check with your healthcare team about local regulations and restrictions before flushing any medications.

Sleep Tips and FAQ

  • Try the following tips to improve your sleep:

    • Stay active during the day

    • Spend time outside during the day

    • Stick to a schedule or routine bedtime

    • Keep your bedroom quiet and dark

    • Do something relaxing before bed

    • Go to bed when you feel tired or sleepy

  • Daytime activities can have an impact on your sleep. To improve the quality of your sleep, try to avoid the following:

    • Taking too many naps during the day

    • Exercising late in the evening

    • Alcohol and tobacco

    • Caffeine in the afternoon and evening

    • Large meals shortly before bed

    • Bright lights from screens before bed

    Some medications may also disrupt sleep. Ask your healthcare team about all of the medicines you take to see if any may be making it harder for you to fall asleep and stay asleep.

  • It may be helpful to start a sleep journal or daily log to keep track of your symptoms. Write down things you notice about your sleep patterns, such as:

    • What time you go to bed and wake up the next morning

    • Any issues with falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up in the middle of the night

    • Any naps you take during the day

    Make note of things that help you sleep and things that keep you from sleeping well. Sharing this information with your healthcare team can help you make a plan to improve your sleep.

Opioid Use Disorder FAQ

  • Over time, the brain can get used to opioids and build up a higher tolerance. This can mean the same dose may not relieve pain as effectively, or patients may feel they need a larger dose to get the same relief. If this happens, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider about adjusting or switching treatments.

  • Physical dependence develops when the body gets used to having opioids and starts to rely on them to function or to feel normal. When someone is dependent on opioids, missing a dose or suddenly stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, irritability, muscle aches, excessive sweating, nausea, and vomiting.

  • Opioids can affect the brain in ways that make it harder to control cravings. Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a medical condition that causes a strong urge to keep taking opioids, even when they cause problems at work, at home, or in relationships. OUD is diagnosed using specific medical criteria. People with OUD may take more opioids than they mean to, or they may feel unable to stop even if they want to.

    If you or someone you know shows signs of OUD, talk to a healthcare provider. There are safe and effective treatments that can support recovery.

Opioid Withdrawal FAQ

  • Over time, your body may get used to opioid pain medications, and you may feel like you need to take opioids just to feel normal. Anyone taking opioids is at risk for opioid dependence.

    When someone has a physical dependence on opioids, missing a dose or suddenly stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms.

  • These symptoms of opioid withdrawal may be mild or severe, and they may last for several days.

    • Abdominal (belly) cramping

    • Agitation

    • Anxiety or worrying

    • Diarrhea

    • Excessive sweating

    • Fast heartbeat

    • Fatigue or insomnia

    • Flu-like symptoms

    • Goosebumps

    • Irritability

    • Muscle aches

    • Nausea

    • Restlessness

    • Vomiting

    • Watery eyes and runny nose

  • If you are thinking about stopping or reducing your opioid use, talk to your healthcare provider about making a safe tapering plan. With their help, carefully lowering your dose over time can help avoid withdrawal symptoms.

    Your tapering plan may vary depending on how long and how often you have been taking opioids. Your provider may also recommend other medicines to help manage pain and avoid withdrawal symptoms during your taper.

Watch Videos

To continue learning, explore our educational videos.

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