Comments for consumers
This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.
Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions.
Australian Prescriber Vol. 31 No. 5 2008
Treating pain in people with an opioid addiction
Patients with severe pain can be given strong painkilling medicines such as morphine. However, if the person has been using drugs like heroin, the morphine may not work very well. This is because heroin users develop a tolerance to the drug. They need to take more to have the same effect. As morphine and heroin are similar chemicals, a person who is tolerant to heroin is likely to need a high dose of morphine to relieve their pain.
Patients who are recovering from drug use may be taking other medicines to help them. Some of these medicines can also interfere with morphine. Specialist advice may therefore be needed to find the best way to manage the patient's pain.
