Final answer:
The most serious effect of opioid therapy is respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening. Other effects include dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Addiction and the risk of overdose, particularly with potent opioids like fentanyl, are also significant concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effects of Opioid Therapy
Opioid therapy, while effective for pain management, can lead to several serious side effects. The most severe among these is respiratory depression, a condition that slows down breathing and can potentially lead to death. Notably, naloxone is a medication used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression. Other common side effects of opioid use include dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, although these are generally less severe.
Addiction and Overdose
Addiction is another grave concern with opioids. A substantial number of patients on long-term opioid therapy may develop an addiction. Overdose is a critical risk as well, with opioids like fentanyl being particularly dangerous due to their high potency.
Opioid Withdrawal and Treatment
Methadone is used in treatment programs to help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings without the euphoric effects of opioids like heroin. A person with heroin addiction might be prescribed methadone as part of their rehabilitation. The opioid crisis, characterized by widespread addiction and increased overdose deaths, originated in the 1990s with the mass-marketing of opioid-based painkillers.