Opioid ‘thermometer’ for patients

Take the temperature of your opioid painkillers.

In persistent pain, using opioid painkillers, such as codeine, tramadol and morphine for more than a few months, has not been shown to be helpful. As doses increase above the equivalent of 120mg oral morphine per day, there is a much greater risk of harm and little extra pain relief.

Harms can include:

• Muddled thinking
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Shaking
• Weight gain
• Mood changes
• Depression
• Headaches
• Vision changes

So, how much are you taking? Use the thermometer to check your dose, click here to view the thermometer.