Misconceptions About Opioids

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Physicians, patients, and caregivers may be reluctant to utilize opioids due to misconceptions about their effects. Health care providers must be knowledgeable regarding safe prescribing practices in order to adequately educate patients and their families.

Below is a list of common statements regarding opioids. Can you determine fact versus fiction? Click on the statements that you believe to be myths and find out if you are correct.

• Opioids often cause respiratory depression.

• Addiction is a frequent complication of opioid use.

• Opioids often cause constipation.

• Opioids often cause nausea.

• Opioids are not effective by mouth.

• Opioids have a narrow effective dosage range.

• Use of opioids is limited due to rapid tolerance.

• Opioid use often hastens death at the end of life.

• Opioids rarely cause euphoria.

• Opioid use may mask disease progression and interfere with medical decision making.

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