What’s in your medicine cabinet?

Inside your home, there may be unused or forgotten medicines that are potentially dangerous. Prescription opioids are generally safe when taken as prescribed by a doctor, but they can be misused and lead to addiction, overdose or death.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (contained in OxyContin® and Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine and morphine.

Help prevent the misuse of prescription opioids

Know your options and consider managing your pain without opioids.
Talk to your doctor about side effects and risk of opioids.
Make an informed decision with your doctor about the best treatment for you.
Follow up regularly with your doctor

This document contains prescription brand name drugs that are registered marks or trademarks of pharmaceutical manufacturers that are not affiliated with either Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey or the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.