Medication
Your doctor may prescribe medication for pain relief after your transport accident. This can be an effective way to manage pain in the short term.
But, research has shown that medicines such as codeine or other opioids are not effective ways to manage pain in the long term. They only help reduce pain by about 30%. These medicines can also come with unwanted side effects, including:
- nausea,
- drowsiness,
- constipation,
- mood change, and
- difficulty concentrating.
After a short time, you may develop a tolerance to opioids. You may need a larger dose to get the same amount of pain relief.
For these reasons, if you have chronic pain, it can help to learn how to manage it without relying on medicines. There are many great online resources available to help you do this.
Self-management strategies can help. You can use them to take control and manage your pain.
Find out about pain management and pain education programs
Prescription drugs and driving
Driving is a complex task which depends on vision, decision making, reaction time, coordination, and divided attention. Many prescription drugs and over the counter medications can adversely affect such skills and impair driving ability and place you and others on the road at risk.
The National Road Safety Partnership Program (NRSPP) have created a fact sheet with information about the risks of driving when using prescription drugs.
Open the NRSPP fact sheet about prescription drugs and driving
Pain Australia - self-managing chronic pain
https://www.painaustralia.org.au/static/uploads/files/painaust-factsheet10-final-wfeznjpbrmxf.pdf
NPS MedicineWise - Lowering your opioid dose
https://www.nps.org.au/assets/NPS-MedicineWise-Lowering-your-opioid-dose.pdf
SafeScript Pharmaceutical Helpline (24/7)
Free and confidential advice, support and referral for people concerned about their use of prescription medicines.
Call the helpline on 1800 737 233.
