While opioid prescriptions are going down due to the recent crisis, many people take prescriptions for things like pain. However, it’s important to know when it might be better to avoid taking opioids. There’s a few times in specific where it’ll be safer to not take these pills…
Taking Opioids: When To Avoid Them
When pregnant
One time when you want to avoid taking opioids is when pregnant. The thing about being pregnant is that you aren’t just “eating for two”. Everything you do and consume is going to be connected to your baby. That includes if you take any opioid-based pills.
Like with other drugs, opioids can have a very negative impact on a developing child. For instance, they could cause the baby to develop an addiction themselves, or potentially lead to birth defects. It’s very important to talk to your doctor about what is or isn’t safe to take while pregnant.
Taking other pills
You also have to be careful about taking opioids when taking other prescription pills. It’s not uncommon for people to have a lot of different prescriptions for different health issues. Most people might assume that they’re fine to take them as normal. Still, this may not always be the case.
Certain types of pills might not mix well with others. They could cause negative side-effect or other complications. In some rare cases, these complications could even be dangerous. That’s why you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the pills you’re taking, and if they’re dangerous or not.
Drinking alcohol
One thing which you certainly want to avoid taking opioids with is alcohol. Mixing opioids and alcohol can be a very risky, and potentially fatal, combination. The different effects that each drug has on the body, especially with slowing down one’s breathing a heart rate, are something you want to avoid.
Therefore, you have to be careful if you want to drink when taking these kinds of pills. Many pills will tell you on the label how long you should wait before drinking after taking them. Some people will just play it safe and avoid drinking altogether while on their prescription.
