Recovering With Limited Opioids

Opioids extend recovery time in the hospital after the surgery

Opioids are not addictive when used to treat pain from surgery

Opioids can hinder everyday activities like driving or lifting heavy items

Opioids can help with faster hospital discharge

Opioids can increase sensitivity to pain over time

Opioids are the only effective option available to manage pain following surgery

Occurs when the body adapts to the drug and requires more of it to achieve a certain effect (also known as tolerance). Becoming dependent on a prescription medication may cause drug-related physical or mental symptoms if drug use is stopped quickly (also known as withdrawal). Physical dependence can happen with the chronic use of many drugs—including opioids, even if taken as instructed

It’s estimated that 3 million Americans will become persistent users of opioids each year following initial exposure after surgery. This means they continue to use opioids 3 to 6 months after their procedure, often requiring prescription refills⁵

Addiction is a chronic brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.¹⁰ In many cases, drug use becomes the main priority, regardless of the harm they may cause to themselves or others. An addiction causes people to act irrationally when they don’t have the substance they are addicted to in their system

Despite the desire to get back to daily life, 67% of women surveyed took an opioid to manage pain after surgery, which can negatively impact recovery.⁷ For example,

Opioids can cause nausea, vomiting, and constipation⁹
Opioids can delay how quickly you return to day-to-day activities¹
Opioids can lead to dependency or, if left around the house, can pose a potential risk of misuse/abuse by others²

*Asked among 377 US women ages 30-50 who have had orthopedic or soft tissue surgery who have taken or were prescribed opioids following their surgical procedure
Pacira BioSciences, Inc. On the Rebound: What to Expect after Surgery. July 2020. [Analysis in the report was based on a survey conducted by Wakefield Research.]

After my first two C-sections, the opioids I took left me nauseous, groggy and in unmanaged pain. For my third C-section, my OB offered me a long-acting, non-opioid option that was injected during my procedure and my recovery experience could not have been better.

Lindsey Kinard | had a C-section with non-opioid pain management options

By using a combination of non-opioid options to manage pain, I’m helping patients minimize their use of opioids and giving them an opportunity to have a more positive post-operative course, because they’re not having to deal with constant pain.

Dr Dale Misiek | Oral Surgeon at Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery, Charlotte, NC

The majority of women’s first exposure to opioids is after childbirth. Implementing a multimodal approach to pain management allows us to decrease their exposure and future addiction, while maintaining excellent pain control.

Dr Cynthia English | OB/GYN at Fort Worth Obstetrics & Gynecology in Fort Worth, TX

Carl V Asche. Impact of Liposomal Bupivacaine on Opioid Use, Hospital Length of Stay, Discharge Status, and Hospitalization Costs in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty. June 2019. [Journal of Medical Economics.]
B Wycke Baker. Transversus abdominis plane block with liposomal bupivacaine for pain control after cesarean delivery: a retrospective chart review. December 2018. [Journal of Pain Research.]
Casey V Hannan. Liposomal Bupivacaine vs Interscalene Nerve Block for Pain Control After Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis. December 2016. [American Journal of Orthopedics.]
Saba Motakef. Liposomal Bupivacaine in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction. November 2017. [Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.]
Chad M. Brummett. New Persistent Opioid Use After Minor and Major Surgical Procedures in US Adults. June 2017. [JAMA Surgery.]
WebMD. Feeling Foggy on Opioids. January 2020. [Reviewed by Carmelita Swiner, MD]
Pacira BioSciences, Inc. On the Rebound: What to Expect after Surgery. July 2020. [Analysis in the report was based on research conducted by Wakefield Research.]
Vinnidhy H Dave. Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia. May 2018. [Hospital for Special Surgery.]
Tong J Gan. Poorly controlled postoperative pain: prevalence, consequences, and prevention. September 2017. [Journal of Pain Research.]
National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Understanding Drug Use and Addiction, June 2018.

Recovering With Limited Opioids

Myths/Facts About Opioids

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Understanding the Difference Between Opioid Dependency, Persistent Use, and Addiction

The Side Effects From Opioids May Hold Back Your Recovery