Opioid Patient Education

Core Mandated Risk Disclosures

• Addiction & Dependence: Distinguish between physical dependence, tolerance, and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) to ensure early recognition of misuse behaviors.

• Respiratory Depression & Overdose: Detail life-threatening symptoms such as severe lethargy, unresponsiveness, or slow/shallow breathing.

• Dangerous Interactions: Warn against combining opioids with alcohol, benzodiazepines, sleep aids, or other central nervous system depressants.

Administration & Expectations

• Functional Expectations: Clarify that treatment aims to reduce pain to a manageable functional level, not eliminate pain entirely.

• Shortest Effective Duration: Instruct patients to use short-acting opioids at the lowest effective dose for the shortest period possible.

Storage & Disposal Guidelines

• Secure Storage: Counsel on keeping medications in a locked cabinet or box to prevent accidental pediatric ingestion or unauthorized access/theft.

• Safe Disposal: Provide instructions on using local DEA drug take-back sites, pharmacy drop-boxes, or FDA-approved flush lists for unused medication.

Overdose Prevention & Emergency Response

• Naloxone Education: Instruct patients and caregivers on how and when to administer naloxone (Narcan) for overdose reversal, offering co-prescriptions for higher-risk patients.

• Emergency Action: Emphasize calling 911 immediately if an overdose is suspected, even if naloxone has already been administered.