Main Page | Risk Factors | Reducing Your Risk | Screening | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment Overview | Chemotherapy | Radiation Therapy | Surgical Procedures | Hormonal Therapy | Other Treatments | Lifestyle Changes | Managing Side Effects | Living With Kidney Cancer | Talking to Your Doctor | Resource Guide
The information provided here is meant to give you a general idea about each of the medications listed below. Only the most general side effects are included, so ask your healthcare provider if you need to take any special precautions.
Medications may help to either prevent or reduce side effects of treatment, or to manage certain side effects once they occur. You can develop side effects from the treatment and/or from the cancer itself. Tell your doctor when you notice a new symptom, and ask him or her if any of these medications are appropriate for you.
Opioid analgesics may be ordered to control discomfort. They include the following drugs:
Opioid analgesics act on the central nervous system to relieve pain. These drugs can be very effective. They may cause dependence, and patients will need increasing doses to obtain the same pain relief. If you are going to take one of these drugs for a long period of time, your doctor will closely monitor you.
Percocet is a combination medication. An opioid analgesic and acetaminophen used together may provide better pain relief than either medicine used alone. In some cases, lower doses of each medicine are necessary to achieve pain relief.
The most common side effects of opioid analgesics include:
Use each of these medications as recommended by your healthcare provider, or according to the instructions provided. If you have further questions about usage or side effects, contact your healthcare provider.
References:
Abeloff MD. Clinical Oncology. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone, Inc; 2000: 955-960.
Mosby Inc. Mosby's Drug Consult. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, Inc; 2002.
Pain. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/mbc/mbc_7_Pain.asp?sitearea=MIT . Updated 2008. Accessed June 25, 2008.
Pain control. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/ . Accessed June 25, 2008.
*6/25/2008 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamicmedical.com/what.php : Thomas J, Karver S, Cooney GA, et al. Methylnaltrexone for opioid-induced constipation in advanced illness. N Engl J Med. 2008;358:2332-2343.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Mohei Abouzied, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.