18
Patient Information
Table 7. Frequently Asked Questions Comparing Nonopioid
and Opioid Medications
Frequently Asked Questions Opioids NSAIDS
Can I be addicted to this? Yes No
When are they used
—what level of pain?
Severe pain Mild–Severe
Should I start with this
medication?
No, use only if around-the-
clock nonopioid medications
are not enough.
Yes, you may start
with this medication.
Is this used alone or with
other medications?
Should be used in
combination with other pain
medications.
Can be used alone or
in combination.
Can I stop using this
medication and how do I
stop?
Sometimes this needs to be
slowly stopped ("tapered")
depending on how much you
have taken. Talk about this
with your health care provider.
is can be stopped
at any time.
What are the common side
effects (reported in 3% or
more patients)?
Dizziness, nausea (very
common), headache,
drowsiness (feeling sleepy or
tired), vomiting, dry mouth,
itching, and constipation.
Upset stomach
What are the serious risks
and what is the risk of
addiction or dependence?
Respiratory depression (very
slow breathing ), misuse, abuse,
addiction, overdose, and death
from respiratory depression.
Your risk of opioid abuse
increases the longer you take
the medication.
Stomach bleeding or
ulcers, heart attack,
kidney damage, and
stroke.
Celecoxib has a
lower risk of stomach
bleeding and/or ulcer
formation over the
short term.
Adapted from the American College of Surgeons patient education brochure on Safe and Effective
Pain Control Aer Surgery.
