Introduction
Patients in healthcare facilities experience pain, which is treated with opioid drugs. Mild to severe cases of pain are common, and they make the patients uncomfortable. Opioids are extracted from opium plants or can be manufactured in the industry. They function by blocking signals for pain where the opioid receptors on the spinal cord, nerve cells, and other organs are the main target (Opioid Basics, 2022). This nursing paper illustrates effective education on the use of opioids for pain relief.
Key Concepts to Consider When Initiating Opium Therapy
- Examining when to begin or continue with opioid drug therapy.
- Selection of the type, duration, dosage, discontinuation, and follow-up to monitor progress.
- Assessing the associated risks and effective alternatives to address the harms caused by the side effects.
Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics and Opioid Sedation
Sedation resulting from prolonged use of opioids without monitoring the associated side effects. This leads to side effects such as headache, drowsiness, and nausea. During surgical sessions in hospitals, doctors can monitor the impacts of sedation on patient safety (Pierce & Shipstone, 2012). The process of sedation begins when the drug is absorbed into the body through the veins. As a result, feelings of relief are felt when the body experiences less pain, making patients regain good health.
Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of Opioids and Tolerance
Opioid tolerance is the decreased pharmacological response to a drug. The pharmacokinetics of opioids are determined by the receptor population in a target drug concentration. An increase in the concentration of the drug leads to a higher binding to the receptor (Opioid Basics, 2022). Opioid tolerance is associated with a reduced response to morphine, which is an agonist of absorption. An individual’s body systems determine the rate of tolerance in the body.
The breakdown of opioids leads to metabolites that enhance the pharmacologic effect. Opioids used in the clinic function through the mu-opioid receptors of the G-protein family observed through heterotrimeric Gαβγ-proteins. The process of bindation between a mu-opioid receptor and an opioid is associated with Gβγ and Gαsubunits (Pathan & Williams, 2012). The above processes are associated with desensitization, which partially explains acute tolerance. These receptors regain themselves with time after the withdrawal of the stimulus.
Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics and Opioid and Dependence
The body recognizes the presence of opioids in the system and develops mechanisms to fight its effects. In this state, a drug addict feels moods of exhaustion and withdrawal symptoms. As a result, severe pain is experienced, and in extreme cases, burning sensations are felt. The LC part of the brain increases the production of symptoms, preventing individuals from experiencing pleasure (Olsen & Sharfstein, 2019). Body reactions enhance cravings for more drugs in the system to satisfy the associated needs.
Drug dependence refers to the susceptibility that occurs after a victim stops using opioid drugs. Patients who have been on pain-relieving drugs for a long time are the main victims. Withdrawal symptoms such as addiction are experienced, and their effects are immense. Effects of opioids include damage to the brain cells and the front region known as the locus coeruleus. A chemical noradrenaline leads to the destruction of normal functioning of neural activity. Damage results leading to drug dependence since the brain fails to perform its functions normally. The introduction of opioid molecules suppresses the neurons, affecting their normal functioning.
Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of Opioids and Addiction
Prolonged use of opioids leads to addiction habits in the user. Once taken, the absorption process begins, where the opioids cross membranes to reach the site of action. Some opioids are absorbed immediately after they are introduced to the body, and others are delayed before use. The absorption process is determined by different factors, which include protein binding, molecular size, ionization state, and lipid solubility (Opioid Basics, 2022). Long-term use of these pain relievers leads to addiction, which is associated with negative impacts.
The plasma component of blood determines the drug concentration in the body. It is divided into three components: intracellular, vascular, and extracellular (Cordier & Kingery, 2019). Lipophilic drugs easily penetrate through the existing membranes and are distributed to all parts of the body. Lipid-insoluble drugs, on the other hand, are difficult to absorb. Once a drug is taken, systematic circulation leads to access to all body parts. Distribution is uneven due to differences in blood flow in the heart’s chambers.
Evidenced-Based Strategies on Safe Pain Medications
Urine Drug Testing
Firstly, the urine drug testing method is used to prescribe pain medications safely. In this practice, the patients’ samples are taken to the laboratory for testing before any therapy. Further, the patients should be monitored annually to determine the effectiveness of the therapy for decision-making on the medication process. Determination of whether to continue or stop the therapy will be made based on the result outcomes (Drug Scheduling, 2022).
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
The second evidence-based strategy is examining the patient’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). This involves the patient’s history of existing substances in the body. The clinicians should inquire whether the target patient has been using other associated drugs for pain relief. Another situation that might be risky is historical cases of overdose, which has more complications (Drug Overdose Resource Hub, 2023). Therefore, clinicians must review PDMP before the beginning of therapy and often during the session within a range of three months.
Use of Medication-Assistant Drugs
Thirdly, healthcare professionals should implement medication-assistant drugs like methadone and buprenorphine to supplement behavioral therapies. These drugs can work more effectively in patients who find it difficult to follow up on the sessions.
Legal Requirements When Writing a Prescription for Schedule II and III Medications
Schedule II and III medications must comply with legal requirements before the prescription. These details include the patient’s home address, gender, status, full name, and age (Factsheet CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain, 2016). They enable easy client identification, and healthcare providers can make effective follow-ups. The name of the drug must be written to avoid medication errors that may result in an overdose (Dowell et al., 2016). Cases of the wrong usage of drugs can lead to more severe side effects. The strength of the drug determines the functioning effect in the body, and making the patient aware of it reduces carelessness regarding storage and access. Children can misuse these drugs and should be kept out of their reach.
The form of the drug is essential to determine the mode of intake, whether it may be a tablet or syrup. Alternatively, the frequency of intake and dosage ensures only the required amount of medicine being used at a particular time. For safety purposes, the prescriber’s signature, date, and printed name are also critical. Lastly, the mobile number of the prescriber is important for clarification. The patients might forget some instructions, and making calls enables them to follow the set instructions.
Conclusion
In summary, opioids are drugs that act on the human body to relieve episodes of pain. They can be administered orally or through injections and absorbed into the body. The prescriber must meet legal requirements to increase the safety of the patients. They include the dosage administration, type of drug, and mobile numbers, which can be used to clarify instructions. Long-term usage of opioids has side effects such as addiction and drowsiness.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Drug overdose resource hub. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Opioid basics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.
Cordier, L. S., & Kingery, H. (2019). Review and implementation of the CDC guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain. Lifestyle Medicine, 1315–1317. Web.
The U.S Drug Enforcement Administration Agency. (2022). Drug scheduling. DEA. Web.
Dowell, D., Haegerich, T. M., & Chou, R. (2016). CDC guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain—United States, 2016. JAMA, 315(15), 1624. Web.
HHS CDC NCIPC Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention. (2016). Factsheet CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. Center for Disease Prevention. Web.
Olsen, Y., & Sharfstein, J. M. (2019). The basics of opioids and opioid addiction. The Opioid Epidemic. Web.
Pathan, H., & Williams, J. (2012). Basic opioid pharmacology: an update. British journal of pain, 6(1), 11–16. Web.
Pierce, D. M., & Shipstone, E. (2012). Pharmacology update. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, 29(8), 663–666. Web.