When your doctor prescribes opioids
April 03, 2025
Every year, millions of prescriptions are written for pain medications. Many of them are for opioids that can lead to addiction – even to overdose and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While the news reports are scary, opioid medications can still be appropriate for adults with moderate to severe pain. If your provider prescribes them, it’s important to be aware and ask questions.
When is it safe to take opioids?
Opioids prescribed by your provider for pain relief are typically safe if you take them for a short time and follow your doctor’s instructions about when and how much to take. Opioids include hydrocodone (brand name: Vicodin), oxycodone (brand names: OxyContin and Percocet), morphine, fentanyl and others.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, when your provider prescribes opioids, it’s important to ask questions like:
· Why do I need it?
· Are there non-opioid medications I can take instead?
If your doctor thinks this is the best medication for you, and you’re comfortable taking it, follow up with more questions.
· How long should I take it?
· Is this the lowest dosage that will control my pain?
· When should I follow up with you to discuss whether it’s working well?
· How and when should I stop taking the medication?
When can opioids be a problem?
Some people who are prescribed opioids for legitimate reasons end up in trouble when they misuse their medications. This includes taking more of them or taking them more often than prescribed. This can happen when the person is having trouble controlling their pain. Many of the people who develop abuse or addiction issues take opioids that are not prescribed to them because of the feeling of euphoria they get from them. (For that reason, it’s important to keep your prescription away from others in your household, especially anyone who has a history of substance abuse or addiction.)
If you have a history of substance abuse issues, tell your provider. They might decide that the risks aren’t worth the benefits of the drug. If you’re taking an opioid drug and it’s not controlling your pain, don’t take more! Call your doctor and ask for advice.
Prescription opioid medicines can be safe and can be a good way to control your pain when you use them as prescribed for a medical condition. It’s important to continue following up with your provider to make sure the medication is working for you. Prior authorization might not be required for an opioid, but there might be a limit on the quantity in a prescription.
Your HealthSelect plan resources
HealthSelectSM medical plan participants living with chronic joint, bone or muscle pain have resources available, including the Hinge Health digital, physical therapist-led musculoskeletal (MSK) care program available at no additional cost to eligible participants.
You also have access to the BCBSTX care management program, a team of dedicated clinicians who use a personal approach to address your health-related needs. A clinician will work with you and your doctors to help you manage your chronic pain.
To start working with a clinician, call BCBSTX toll-free at (800) 252-8039 (TTY:711) between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. CT, Monday – Friday, and ask to speak with a care management clinician. For more information, you can also visit the Care Management Program page on healthselectoftexas.com.
For questions about prescriptions, you can call HealthSelect Prescription Drug Program toll-free 24/7 at (800) 935-7189 (TTY: 711).