Patients still fuzzy about opioid medications

Many patients still have misconceptions about opioids, including having trouble identifying exactly which drugs fall under the umbrella, according to a new survey.

The NPS MedicineWise study shows only half (56%) of more than 1000 Australians surveyed could correctly identify morphine as an opioid.

A similar number identified oxycodone (51%) and codeine (49%) as opioids.

Just one in four correctly identified tramadol (27%) and fentanyl (26%) as opioids, revealed the survey that was carried out in November 2019.

On the flip side, one in three incorrectly thought that paracetamol (32%) and ibuprofen (31%) were opioids.

In addition, 37% were unaware that taking opioids long term could actually increase their pain sensitivity.

But most were aware of a link between opioids and dependency.

On the back of the survey NPS MedicineWise