June 15, 2020

Are Painkillers After Childbirth a Prescription for Addiction?

MONDAY, June 8, 2020 -- Many women are prescribed opioid painkillers after giving birth, and it may in some cases lead to addiction and overdose, a new study finds.

Looking at data on more than 200,000 births in Tennessee, researchers found that nearly all women who had a C-section were prescribed an opioid like oxycodone (OxyContin). The drugs were also prescribed in 59% of vaginal births.

May 21, 2020

If Prescribed Opioids for Pain, Ask Lots of Questions: FDA

THURSDAY, May 21, 2020 -- If your doctor prescribes opioid painkillers such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine or morphine for you, there are a number of questions you should ask, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises.

Opioids can be used to treat certain kinds of acute and chronic pain, but can have some serious side effects, most notably addiction.