Narcotics refer to a class of prescription pain killers derived from opiates. Narcotics blocks pain signal from the brain to reduce pain. Narcotics reduce the feeling of pain by blocking pain signal from the brain and the central nervous system. Opioids are a type of narcotic pain medication when you have a mild headache or muscles ache. An over- the-counter pain reliever is usually enough to make you feel better-but if your pain is more severe you doctor might recommend something stronger which is opioid-varieties of narcotic include codeine, morphine, hydromorpone, oxycodone and hydrocodone, which is commonly know by it brand name of vicodin.

Narcotics work by binding to receptor in the brain, which blocks the feeling of pain. When use carefully and under doctors direct care, they can be effective at reducing pain. These drugs can be abused and addictive and have been associated with accidental overdose death. Your doctors may suggest that you take your medicine only when you feel pain, so always take narcotics as prescribed.

Narcotics attach to receptors on nerves in the brain that increase the threshold to pain and reduce the perception of pain. Some adult have chronic pain which require proper pain management since long term use can lead to drug addiction and tolerance. Most men and women take narcotic analgesic for short period until pain lessen or goes away.

Side effect of narcotic and pain medication

The following are the side effect of narcotics and pain medication

1. Weak or shallow breathing, weak pulse, slow heartbeat

2. A lightheaded feeling like you might pass out

3. Signs of too much serotonin in the body-agitation, hallucination, fever, fast heart rate, over active, reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination and fainting

4. Constipation, mild nausea, stomach pain

5. Severe drowsiness or dizziness, confusion, problem with speech

6. Headache, tired feeling, mild drowsiness or dizziness: drowsiness is most common just after you begin to take the drugs or increase the dose. Like 20% to 60% of pain patient will experience a small increase in sleepiness when taking opioid medicine. Any drowsiness will usually fade away as you become used to the medication.

7. Sedation, dry mouth, chest pain and abnormal heart beats

8. Sexual side effect: living with chronic pain often takes a toll on your sex life. Opioids- and not the pain itself- may be at least partly to blame. The drug appears to lower testosterone level, and cause erectile dysfunction in men and difficulty with orgasm for both sexes.

9. Common side effect of pain medication and narcotic include, drowsiness, leading to an inability to-safely-operate machinery or drive. Other less common but more side effect include sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, decreased hunger and vomiting.

10. Itching is also a side effect of narcotic and constipation. Between 10% of opioid user may find themselves itching all over. The side effect is most common when morphine is-administered via an injection into the spine. The itching might seem like an allergic reaction, but allergies to opioids are rare.