Opioids

Drug Name
Opioids

Brand Name(s)
Codeine: Tylenol® #1, #2, #3, #4, Atasol®15, Atasol®30, Codeine Contin®, and generics (Tylenol® and Atasol® products also contain 300-325 mg of acetaminophen) Morphine*: Morphine®, M-Eslon®, MS-Contin®, Kadian Hydromorphone*: Dilaudid®, Hydromorph-Contin® Oxycodone*: Percocet®, generics (Percocet® also contains 325 mg of acetaminophen) Meperidine: Demerol® *Morphine, hydromorphone and oxycodone are available in both short-acting and long-acting formulations.

Drug Class
Prescription medication

Opioids are second-line medications reserved for moderate to severe knee and hip osteoarthritis pain that does not respond to adequate trials of other therapies (acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tramadol, duloxetine).


This information was written in November 2017, with expert advice from:

Jason Kielly, B.Sc. (pharm.), Pharm.D.
Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Clinical Pharmacist, Rheumatic Health Program, Eastern Health

This information was last updated in December 2021 by:

Alan Low, B.Sc. (pharm.), Pharm. D., ACPR, FCSHP, CCD, RPh
Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UBC
Co-Founder and Executive Director, Medicines Access Coalition – BC
​Primary Care Pharmacist, Vancouver

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