COMMUNITY HEALTH CORNER With Chief Pharmacist, Ray Glaser at Thrifty White Pharmacy 503 Third Avenue East in Alexandria. What do you know about opioids? Should I be worried about myself or loved-one using prescription opioid medications? Prescription opioids are medications that are used for pain management following surgery accidents, and occasionally chronic pain relief. Opioids are indicated for moderate to severe pain relief and may pose a risk of serious side effects. One of the most concerning drawbacks to opioid use is the risk of overdose. Thrifty White Pharmacy has implemented several programs to help optimize patient safety during opioid utilization. These include educational tools to assist the pharmacist in enhanced medication counseling and prevention of adverse side effects that may be associated with opioid medications. This additional education helps your pharmacist communicate techniques for optimal medication usage and ways to prevent accidental overdose. These are examples of what your pharmacist may discuss with you during opioid medication use: 1. How to dispose of your opioid medication once your treatment is completed. . The possibity of filing only a portion of your pain medication and retunnine to ref the remaining portion only if you need to continue therapy. 3. How to prevent accidental opioid overdose and ways to aid in preventing side effects during 4. Educating you and your significant other about identifying symptoms relating to too much' pain medication use during treatment 5. Options for obtaining emergency medication (naloxone) to have at home for reversai of accidental opioid overdose 6. If you do not feel comfortable using an opioid, the pharmacist can also communicate with your physician about altemative pain medications that may be safer for you What individuals have a higher risk of accidental overdose to opioid medications? 1. Male gender 2. Older age 3. Using opioids while treating certain medical conditions li.e. asthma, depression, iver disease, sleep apnea, or COPD) 4. Using high prescribed doses of opioids 5. Using certain medications with opioids (ie. sleeping medication or muscle relaxers) ONER 2018 It is estimated that up to 30% of individuals that use opioid medications are at risk for accidental overdose Talk with you Thrifty White Pharmacist today! O Employee Owned R) White PHARMACY 503 Third Ave. E. Alexandria, MN (320)762-1531 Store Hours: Mon Fri: 9am 8pm Sat: 9am 4pm Sun: 10am 2pm 200 Central Ave. Osakis, MN (320) 859-2161 Store Hours: Mon -Fri: 9am 5:30pm Closed Saturday&Sunday