The Journal Gazette, 600 W. Main St., Fort Wayne IN

  Only one brand name is listed for each drug although others exist. All drugs can produce dependence and carry a risk of addiction, misuse or abuse.

Codeine

Brand name: Codeine Sulfate

Indications: Relief of mild to moderate pain

Administration: Tablets taken orally

Side effects: Lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting and sweating

Like other narcotic analgesics – drugs given to reduce pain without resulting in loss of consciousness – it also carries the risk of respiratory depression and, to a lesser degree, circulatory depression, respiratory arrest, shock and cardiac arrest.

Fentanyl

Brand name: Duragesic

Indications: Management of persistent moderate to severe chronic pain that requires continuous opioid administration (i.e. morphine) for an extended period of time and can’t be managed by other means

Administration: Patches are intended only for transdermal use on intact skin

Side effects: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, sweating, mild itching/redness on the application site, or weakness may occur; deaths from hypoventilation due to inappropriate use have been reported

Hydrocodone

Brand name: Vicodin

Indications: Relief of moderate to moderately severe pain

Administration: Tablets taken orally

Side effects: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, flushing, vision or mental/mood changes may occur

Meperidine

Brand name: Demerol

Indications: Treatment of moderate to severe pain

Administration: Oral not as effective as parenteral, or a manner other than through the digestive canal

Side effects: Major hazards of meperidine, as with other narcotic analgesics, are respiratory depression and, to a lesser degree, circulatory depression; respiratory arrest, shock and cardiac arrest

Methadone

Brand name: Dolophine

Indications: Treatment of moderate to severe pain not responsive to non-narcotic analgesics; to treat addiction to opioids, such as heroin

Administration: Orally

Side effects: Most frequently observed are lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting and sweating

The major hazards of methadone are respiratory depression and, to a lesser degree, systemic hypotension. Respiratory arrest, shock, cardiac arrest, and death have occurred.

Morphine

Brand name: Avinza

Indications: Relief of moderate to severe pain requiring continuous, around-the-clock opioid therapy for an extended period of time

Administration: Capsules swallowed whole or the contents sprinkled on applesauce

The capsule beads can’t be chewed, crushed or dissolved due to the risk of rapid release and absorption of a potentially fatal dose.

Side effects: The most common serious adverse effects reported in clinical studies were vomiting, nausea, death (in patients treated for pain due to underlying malignancy), dehydration, dyspnea, and sepsis. Serious adverse effects caused by morphine include respiratory depression, apnea, and to a lesser degree, circulatory depression, respiratory arrest, shock and cardiac arrest.

Oxycodone

Brand name: Oxycontin

Indications: A strong narcotic similar to morphine, this medication is used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Administration: Tablets taken orally

Side effects: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, mild itching, drowsiness, dry mouth, lightheadedness, loss of appetite or weakness