Prescription Painkillers - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Prescription Painkillers in the Workplace

What You Need to Know

Slide2

Signs of Opioid Abuse

What you should know

Slide3

Physical Signs of Opioid AbuseUnusual drowsiness/nodding off at random times

Dizziness

Constricted (small) pupils

Glassy eyes

Slowed breathing

Nausea

Constipation

Weight loss or decline of appearance

Slide4

Behavioral Signs of Opioid AbuseExtreme mood swings

Irritability/angry outbursts

Anxiety

Euphoria

Confusion

Secrecy/dishonesty

More absences from work

Consistently late to work

Withdrawal from friends, coworkers and family

Change in friends

Neglecting responsibilities

Slide5

Medication Warning Signs

Taking medications for

reasons other than

physical pain

Loss of control over

medication use

Taking medications

prescribed for

someone else

Slide6

Opioid AbuseWhat can you do?

Slide7

Suspect Opioid Abuse at Work?Tell a supervisor as soon as possible

(manager, security team or HR officer)

Confidential process

Do not be concerned you are risking a coworker’s job

You are reducing accident risk

You may be saving someone’s health/life

Slide8

Do You or Someone You Know Need Help?UnitedHealthcare Substance Use Helpline:

855-780-5955

Available 24/7 for you or a family member

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Treatment Services Locator

findtreatment.samhsa.gov

Contact our Employee Assistance Program (

EAP

)

xxx-xxx-

xxxx

or

info@ABCEAP.com

Confidentially contact Human Resources at

xxx-xxx-

xxxx

Slide9

Common Types of Opioids & Narcotics

Slide10

What Are Opioids?

Prescription-only drugs

–

treat and manage moderate to severe pain

Naturally found in the opium poppy plant

Also made in labs using same chemical structure

Relax the body and block pain signals sent from the brain to the body

Slide11

Common Narcotic Pain Medications

Opioid/Narcotics:

Brand Name:

Oxycodone

OxyContin

®

, Percodan

®

, Percocet

®

Hydrocodone

Vicodin

®

, Lortab

®

,

Lorcet

®

Morphine

Kadian

®

,

Avinza

®

, MS

Contin

®

Codeine

Various Brand Names

Fentanyl

Duragesic

®

Propoxyphene

Darvon

®

Meperidine

Demerol

®

Methadone

Various Brand Names

Slide12

Heroin

Made from morphine from opium poppy plants

White or brown powder or black sticky substance

Injected, sniffed, snorted or smoked

High risk of overdose or death

Increased risk due to high potency fentanyl added to heroin

Nearly 80% of Americans using heroin abused prescription opioids

Slide13

If You Are Prescribed Opioid Painkillers

What to do

Slide14

Did You Know?

Opioid painkillers can affect your ability to do your job

Opioid side effects

Drowziness

, dizziness, nausea

Driving under the influence

Even if painkillers are

legally prescribed,

you can still be cited

Slide15

Talking With Your DoctorAsk questions if you are prescribed an opioid painkiller

Ask about safety

Inform them about:

Additional risk factors (genetics, family history, trauma, mental health, history of substance abuse, psychological/social stressors

Other medications and providers

Be honest about your concerns

Discuss alternatives

Slide16

Alternative Pain Medication OptionsAlternative pain medications for opioids carry fewer risks and side effects

Always check with your doctor about taking alternatives

Over-the-counter medications

Ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve)

Prescription strength anti-inflammatory drugs

Celcoxib (Celbrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine)

Slide17

Alternative Pain Medication Options Select prescription non-opioids that target nerves

that produce pain

Gabapenin

(Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica)

Injectable and topical non-opioid therapies

Chiropractic services, physical and massage therapy,

exercise

, yoga

and cognitive behavioral therapy

Slide18

If Painkillers Are Prescribed

Discuss your tasks

Talk with your supervisor before you perform safety sensitive tasks

Exercise caution

Driving, operating or working around machinery

Risk of serious injury or death

Inform:

Talk with your supervisor or

HR to let them know

Slide19

Prescription Painkillers in the WorkplaceMore Information

XYZ’s Workplace Drug Policy

XYZ.com

/

humanresources

/

drugpolicy

Contact your manager/supervisor

Call HR at

xxx-xxx-

xxxx

, ext. x

Slide20

CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain

What you should know

Slide21

What is the CDC Guideline?Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed for primary care clinicians treating adults for chronic pain in outpatient setting

Developed to:

Improve communication between clinicians and patients

Provide safer, more effective care for patients with chronic pain

Help reduce opioid abuse and overdose

Provides recommendations to clinicians about appropriate prescribing of opioids to improve pain management and patient safety

Slide22

CDC Guideline – Patient Care & Safety

Nonopioid

therapy is preferred

for chronic pain (outside of cancer, palliative and end-of-life care):

The

lowest possible effective dosage

should be prescribed (to reduce abuse and overdose)

Clinicians should exercise caution

when prescribing opioids and monitor patients closely

Slide23

CDC Guidelines – Before Starting Opioids

Make the most informed decision with your doctor

Learn about prescription opioids and the risks

Consider other ways to manage pain

Physical therapy

Exercise

Non-opioid medications (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Slide24

Safe Prescription Opioid Storage & Disposal

Slide25

Did You Know?

Misuse/giving prescription drugs someone other than

the prescribed can be:

Illegal

Potentially deadly

In 2015, the majority of opioid-related deaths involved prescription drugs

Flushed/drain-disposed Rx medications can contaminate

the water supply

More than 70% of people using prescription painkillers get them from family or friends

Slide26

Safe Storage of Prescription Painkillers

Store out of reach of children

Keep secure and out of sight

Consider storing in a lockbox,

safe or locked medicine cabinet

Store Rx

painkillers

out of sight/preferably in

locked

drawer or cabinet

Slide27

Safe Disposal of Prescription PainkillersNever flush or pour down the drain

Take unused prescription drugs to a collection program

or event

Wisconsin Department of Justice DRUG TAKE BACK days in spring and fall (some locations are permanent)

doseofrealitywi.gov/drug-takeback/find-a-take-back-location/

Local Police Departments (call to find out if they will accept)

Purchase mail-back packages from doctors, pharmacies, or police station