Addictive Painkillers Linked to Increase of Road Accidents

According to a new study, small doses of opioid painkillers consumed by drivers are often linked to road accidents, reports Medical Xpress.

Opioids are one of the oldest known drugs and acts as an effective painkiller. Addiction to the drug is commonly found among people who consume it regularly. Opioids can relate to other drugs such as morphine, codeine or oxycodone, which are all used as pain killers. The study shows even small doses of opioids taken regularly such as 20 mg morphine or more was linked to a higher risk of road accidents.

The lead scientist, Tara Gomes, at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Studies, studied the connection between the risks of road crashes with the dose of opioids painkillers. The study included 549,878 patients18 to 64 years old who were prescribed opioids at least once between the periods of April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2011 in Ontario, according to the report.

"Among drivers prescribed opioids, a significant relationship exists between the dose of opioid prescribed and risk of road trauma," said Gomes, according to Medical Xpress.

The study further showed a higher risk of 42 percent of road accidents linked to high opioid dosage as much as 100-199 mg of morphine.

"Injury and death resulting from motor vehicle collisions have significant public health and economic consequences," Gomes said. "These findings could have important implications for clinicians when escalating patients to high opioid doses, and to policy makers tasked with educating the public on the potential risks of opioid medications."

Opioids are often misused for various reasons than being prescribed for as it has the ability to produce a deep state of inspirational joy with a great sense of satisfaction. Misuse of certain drugs is illegal in many countries.

The findings of the study are published in an online journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

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