Final answer:
Respiratory depression is a common side effect of opioids. These substances depress the central nervous system, leading to a decrease in respiratory function. Monitoring and intervention with naloxone can be crucial in cases of overdose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common side effect of opioid analgesics is respiratory depression. Opioids are known to have several side effects such as the risk of addiction, abuse, and even overdose, but one of the primary concerns when taken even as prescribed is the potential for causing decreased respiratory function. This is because opioids act on the central nervous system to relieve pain, but also depress bodily functions including respiration. This makes it crucial for individuals using opioids to be monitored closely for signs of respiratory depression, and for the possession of naloxone, an opioid antagonist that can reverse respiratory depression and other overdose effects.
Furthermore, the body can become physically dependent on opioids in a very short time, sometimes in less than a week, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms upon stopping usage. Symptoms of opioid withdrawal can resemble the flu, including pain, which can be so severe that individuals continue using the drug to relieve these symptoms. This cycle contributes to the difficulty in treating opioid addiction and emphasizes the necessity for medical intervention and support in the form of rehabilitation and possibly the use of methadone, a less euphorigenic opioid used to manage withdrawal symptoms.