When it's time to stop using opioid medicine

Opioids are powerful painkillers. But there are risks linked to opioid use — including severe constipation, nausea, dependence, misuse, opioid use disorder and accidental overdose. Still, opioids may be the best option at certain times. For example, opioid medicines may help when the pain level is very high and short term.

Your healthcare professional may prescribe opioids to help you get through a few days of severe pain after surgery or a serious injury. Opioid medicines also can play an important role in treating pain from cancer. Rarely, opioids may be used to treat long-term pain that's not caused by cancer when other treatments have not worked.

If you've taken opioids for less than 7 to 10 days, you should be able to simply stop these medicines as soon as you've finished the pills your healthcare professional ordered, if not before. Ask your healthcare team if you're not sure when you can stop your opioid medicine.

If you've taken opioids for more than 7 to 10 days, you may need to stop using these medicines to keep from having possible serious problems. It's time to stop taking opioids if you:

• Have no more need for pain medicine.
• Choose to try another pain relief treatment.
• Have serious side effects from taking the medicine.
• Have poor pain relief from the same dose of medicine over time.
• Behave in a way that causes concerns about opioid misuse or opioid use disorder.
• Take opioids for reasons other than pain control, such as to feel intense happiness and confidence, sometimes called a high, or to relax.

Symptoms of opioid use disorder include:

• Regularly taking more medicine than prescribed and needing early refills.
• Taking opioid medicine for reasons other than for pain, such as to improve mood.
• Asking for opioids from several healthcare professionals or getting opioids from other sources such as friends, family, the internet or illegal sellers.
• Having severe mood swings, for example, quickly changing from happy to angry.
• Losing interest in people and activities enjoyed before taking opioids.
• Behaving in risky ways that result in danger.
• Not being able or willing to stop using opioids despite the problems they cause.

Do not try to suddenly stop taking opioids on your own. Opioid withdrawal can be dangerous, and symptoms can be severe. When it's time for you to stop taking opioids, ask for your healthcare professional's help. Together you can create a plan to stop opioids slowly, called a taper. Tapering means slowly lowering over time the amount of opioid medicine you take until you stop completely.

How long it takes to taper off your medicine depends on the type and dose of the opioid you've been taking and how long you've been taking it. You may need weeks, months or even longer to slowly and safely lower your dose and stop taking your opioid medicine.

Stopping opioids can be difficult, but you can do it. You're much more likely to succeed if you partner with your healthcare team. Together you can plan your taper schedule and manage your symptoms. You also can learn other ways to cope with pain.