Not everyone reacts the same way to medications. If a prescription opioid is prescribed to you, you may experience one or more side effects. Or, none at all.

Even if you follow your doctor’s or other healthcare professional's directions, opioids can cause drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, itching, headache, dry-mouth, sweating, weakness, and constipation. The most serious side effect is difficulty breathing, which can lead to death.

Your doctor or other healthcare professional needs to know if your medication is causing side effects. He or she may be able to change the dosage or switch you to a different medicine that will treat the condition without causing the discomfort of side effects.

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