Opioids
Opioids are morphine-based drugs, which means that it is a strong painkiller. They are commonly used to treat moderate to severe pain but in small doses they're also used to treat long-term breathlessness.
Oxygen can be used to lift low oxygen levels and reduce the strain on your heart and lungs, but it's not unusual to have normal oxygen levels and still feel very breathless, which is why opioid treatments are used. They have been used to treat breathlessness for many years, are proven to be effective and safe, and should make your breathing easier and more relaxed. If you take them and feel that they're having no effect on your breathing, tell your doctor - opioids do not work for everyone.
The most commonly used opioids used for breathlessness are:
- Oramorph® – liquid morphine.
- OxyNorm® – liquid/capsule oxycodone.
Taking your medication
Your doctor may tell you to take opioids:
- regularly
- as needed
- before activities that may cause breathlessness.
Oramorph®/OxyNorm® should work within 30 minutes of taking them.
You may notice that the leaflet in the medicine package says that you shouldn't take Oramorph®/OxyNorm® if you have breathing problems. This is only a potential problem if you need to take very large doses of it to treat pain. The chances are that you have been given a very low dose to treat breathlessness, not pain. Your doctor has carefully prescribed the right opioid and dose for you, although if you are still concerned, please speak to your doctor.
Contact information
Side effects
Some patients suffer from side effects, which may include:
- feeling sick
- constipation
- dry mouth
- drowsiness
- itching
If you are concerned about any possible side effects, or experience any, speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Breathlessness can be uncomfortable and distressing, but there are techniques you can use to make your breathing easier
Driving
Although drowsiness can be one side effect of taking opioids, you may still be able to drive. You are allowed to drive if you have been on the same dose for five days and don't feel drowsy. If the opioids do make you feel drowsy in any way, do not drive, and discuss this with the healthcare professional who prescribed them.
Alcohol
A small glass of wine, beer, sherry or whisky is allowed, but it's better to avoid drinking any more than that because you might become very drowsy.
Addiction
The amount used to treat breathlessness shouldn't cause addiction. You can become tolerant to it, which is why it's important to wean yourself off them if you don't feel like they're working, or if you don't need them any more.
Contact information
Pharmacy patient helpline: 020 7351 8901 Monday–Friday, 9am–5.30pm
Harefield Hospital
Lung transplant supportive care: 07967 004 815
Supportive and palliative care: 01895 828 922 Monday–Friday 8.30am–4.30pm
Royal Brompton Hospital
Supportive and palliative care: 020 7352 8121 extension 4136 Monday–Friday 8.30am–4.30pm
You can also contact your GP if you have questions about your medicines.