Taking pain medicine safely while you recover from a car crash
How a clinical pharmacist and a pain medicine doctor weigh the benefits against the risks
Good pain control should help you sleep, move and take part in your care. You shouldn’t be left guessing which pills are safe to take together. A pharmacist checks for repeated ingredients and drug interactions. A pain specialist asks whether treatment improves your daily function enough to be worth the risks. After a crash, gather every prescription, nonprescription medicine and supplement for a single review. [1, 2]
Learn the job of each pill
For each medicine, ask for the generic name, the dose, when to take it and why. Find out whether it’s for regular use or only as needed. Some prescription pain pills that combine drugs already contain acetaminophen. A cold or pain product you add on may contain it as well. Before you mix products, have a pharmacist check every ingredient. [1]
Nonopioid medicines and physical measures may work well for many common, recent injuries. Severe injuries from trauma or major surgery can still call for an opioid for a time. The right choice depends on your injuries, your other health problems and your risks. Don’t change your plan because of a rule you read about a different injury. [2]
Nonprescription medicines still carry risks. Before you take an anti inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, raise a few questions. Ask about stomach bleeding, kidney disease, blood thinners and any surgery instructions. If you have liver disease or use more than one product with acetaminophen, ask how to use it safely. Let a pharmacist look over the exact labels. [1, 2]
Drowsiness is a safety problem
Opioids and some other drugs can slow your thinking, make you dizzy or make breathing dangerous. Ask directly about driving, alcohol, sleep medicines, anxiety medicines and muscle relaxants. Don’t mix drugs unless your prescriber or pharmacist has reviewed the combination. Before a new prescription is written, speak up if you have sleep apnea or take something that makes you sleepy. [1, 2, 3]
Call 911 if someone taking an opioid is very hard to wake, or if their breathing is slow or has stopped. Give naloxone if you have it and have been shown how to use it. The person still needs an emergency exam, even if they wake up. Ask your prescriber whether you should keep naloxone at home. [3, 4]
Ask ahead of time about common side effects that could interrupt your recovery. Constipation, nausea and dizziness are examples. Know who to call if one shows up. Don’t take an extra dose because the last one seemed slow to kick in. Stick to the timing and the maximum amount on your prescription. [2, 3]
Talk about the plan before you need a refill
Ask how long the current plan should last and what would trigger a new look at it. You may need an opioid around the clock for more than a few days. If so, ask how to cut back as the pain eases. [2, 3]
If you’ve used a medicine regularly for a longer stretch, don’t quit it suddenly. Work out a plan with your care team first. Tell your clinician if your pain isn’t under control. Also speak up if side effects keep you from eating, moving or thinking clearly. [2, 3]
- Which medicine helps with which activity?
- What should I do if the pain gets worse or a medicine makes me drowsy?
- Which products should never be taken together?
Store and toss medicine safely
Store opioids in a secure spot away from children and visitors. Never share them. For leftover tablets, use a medicine take back program or follow the FDA’s disposal instructions. Keep a current medicine list to show every clinician who treats you. [3]
Ask one pharmacist to review every label
Sources and further reading
- 1FDA acetaminophen medicine safety
- 2CDC opioid prescribing guideline
- 3FDA opioid pain medicine safety
- 4FDA naloxone and overdose
This article shares general U.S. health education from the fields of pharmacy and pain medicine. Before you change treatment, have a clinician or pharmacist review your own medicines, conditions and risks.
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