Opium Preparations : Before Using

Opium Preparations - Systemic

Opium Preparations *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For opium preparations, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to morphine, codeine, or papaverine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Opium preparations have not been studied in pregnant women. However, morphine - contained in these medication has causing birth defects in pets when given in very large doses.

Regular use of opium preparations during pregnancy may cause the fetus to become dependent on the drug. This may lead to withdrawal side effects in the newborn baby. Always these medication may cause breathing problems in the newborn baby, especially if they are taken just before delivery.

Breast-feeding problem

Opium preparations have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Use for Children

Breathing problems may be especially likely to occur in child up to 2 years of age, who are usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of opium preparations.

Elderly care

Breathing problems may be especially likely to occur in elderly diseaseds, who are usually more sensitive than adults people to the effects of opium preparations.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking an opium preparation, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Anticholinergics - drug for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps
Central nervous system - CNS depressants, especially other narcotics,
Other diarrhea drug
Tricyclic antidepressants - amitriptyline " Elavil ", amoxapine " Asendin ", clomipramine " Anafranil ", desipramine " Pertofrane ", doxepin " Sinequan ", imipramine " Tofranil ", nortriptyline " Aventyl ", protriptyline " Vivactil ", trimipramine " Surmontil " The risk of side effects is increased

Naltrexone - Trexan Naltrexone blocks the effects of opium preparations and makes them less effective in treating diarrhea

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of opium preparations. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Alcohol or other drug abuse - or history of
Colitis
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Underactive thyroid The risk of side effects may be increased

Brain disease or head injury
Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease
Enlarged prostate or problems with urination
Gallbladder disease or gallstones Some of the side effects of opium preparations can be dangerous if these conditions are present

Convulsions - seizures, history of Opium can rarely cause convulsions