Do You Take Both Opioids and Benzodiazepines? Patient Education Brochure
Common examples of opioids and benzodiazepines: Opioids Benzodiazepines Hydrocodone Alprazolam - Vicodin® - Xanax® - Norco® Clonazepam - Lortab® - Klonopin® Oxycodone Diazepam - Percocet® - Valium® Morphine Lorazepam Fentanyl - Ativan® Methadone Why is combining an Let’s test what you know! opioid and a Did you know? benzodiazepine Please circle either true or false so dangerous? The risk of accidental overdose can to test what you know (see back occur with any dose, large or small, for answers): even if you’ve been taking the When used together, these medicines for a long time. 1. I am not at risk of an accidental medications may: overdose if I take my opioid and • Slow or stop your breathing benzodiazepine medication It is important that you as prescribed. • Cause an accidental overdose do not stop taking your True or False medications without talking What is an accidental overdose? to your provider first. 2. Only people addicted to An accidental overdose is when your Stopping medications too medications can overdose. body has too much medication but fast can be dangerous. True or False you didn’t know it was going to be too much. An accidental overdose What should you do now? 3. Certain medical problems or can cause you to stop breathing use of alcohol can increase my and die. 1. Talk to your provider about risk of an accidental overdose. the risks and benefits of True or False your medications. 4. Patients who have been taking 2. Ask your provider if there an opioid and benzodiazepine are safer medication options for a long time are not at risk for for you. an accidental overdose. 3. Ask your provider if naloxone True or False is right for you. 100 100% Drug Overdose Preventable Deaths Per Day What is naloxone? Check your answers!
Naloxone is an important part of 1. False. Even when used opioid safety and can lower your risk correctly, taking opioids and of an opioid overdose death. benzodiazepines together can cause an overdose. Ask your provider what your risks are. Ask if there are Naloxone is a prescription other medications that may medication used in an be safer for you. emergency. It can help you start breathing again by 2. False. Any patient reversing an opioid overdose. taking an opioid with a benzodiazepine has a risk of an overdose. Remember, it is Please see this link or scan the the medication combination QR code below for more information that is dangerous, not the about naloxone: person who takes it. https://www.youtube. 3. True. Lung disease, sleep com/playlist?list=PL3AQ_ apnea, liver disease, alcohol use and many other things JVoBEyxacdQcDn5kJlSzR-jouk7J can increase your risk for an overdose. 4. False. This medication combination always comes with some risks, no matter how long you’ve been taking it. Your risks may increase as you age. It’s important that you and your provider continue to talk about the risks and benefits of your medications before deciding what’s right for you.
June 2016 IB 10-924, P96806