Opioids carry a serious risk of dependence and addiction, especially with long-term use. Following concerns raised about the prescribing rates of opioids in the UK, the Opioid Expert Working Group of the Commission on Human Medicines developed recommendations to improve information for prescribers and patients and to protect public health. 

Opioids are important and effective medicines for short-term pain relief, but long-term use in the treatment of non-cancer pain should be avoided due to the risks of dependence and addiction.

In order to ensure that people are aware of which products contain opioids, packaging for all opioid medicines in the UK now carries the warnings ‘Can cause addiction’ and ‘Contains opioid’.

Detailed advice for healthcare professionals is set out in the September 2020 Drug Safety Update. A patient information leaflet is also available and explains how to minimise the risk of addiction, the symptoms and dangers of accidental overdosage and the need for urgent medical attention.