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All opioid drugs will carry prominent warnings on their labels stating that they may be addictive, the Health Secretary said.
Matt Hancock said that after figures published in England and Wales, the increase in prescriptions for opioid analgesics had increased by more than 60% over the past decade.
People needed protection "from the dark side to the painkillers," he said.
Health experts welcomed the decision, saying opioids could cause "addictions that can change lives and sometimes cause death."
Opioids, such as morphine or fentanyl, are derived from opium and can be very effective at relieving severe pain, but they can also be highly addictive.
The number of prescriptions issued for this type of medication has increased from more than 14 million in 2008 to 23 million last year.
There are also over-the-counter opioids, such as codeine-based analgesics, which have lower strength but may also be addictive.
From 2008 to 2018, the number of codeine-related deaths in England and Wales more than doubled.
What are the opioids?
- A large group of drugs used primarily to treat pain
- Includes natural chemicals such as morphine and codeine, as well as synthetic drugs
- Codeine, morphine and methadone are among the opioids considered essential by the World Health Organization for the treatment of pain and end-of-life care
- Some opioid medications – methadone and buprenorphine – are used to help people break their reliance on more potent opioids like heroin.
What are they used for?
- Relief of moderate and severe pain
- Treatment of pain of limited duration that does not respond to conventional painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol
- Usually used for acute pain – as after surgery or in patients with terminal cancer
Why are they dangerous?
- They can be very addictive
- The sensation of pleasure resulting from opioids can contribute to the psychological dependence on drugs
- Higher doses may slow down breathing and heart rate, which can lead to death
- Mixing with alcohol or other sedatives such as benzodiazepines can also have serious consequences
Dr. Hancock said, "I am extremely concerned by the recent increase in the number of opioid addicts.
"Painkillers have been a major breakthrough in modern medicine and are extremely important in helping people manage pain along with their busy lives, but they need to be treated with caution."
"We know that too many painkillers can harm your health and that some opioids are highly addictive and can ruin lives in the manner of an illegal drug.
"Things are not as bad here as in America, but we must act now to protect people from the dark side of painkillers."
& # 39; Like thousands of insects in your skin & # 39;
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Lisa Peake
Lisa Peake, from London
After an accident in February 2014, I was prescribed painkillers for chronic neck pain, but these pains did not go away.
I took codeine four to five times a day, tramadol supplemented once a day, and naproxen and co-dydramol four to five times a day.
Opioids affect your mental capacity, you feel dizzy, you can not focus and it is difficult for you to do your job.
In two years, the drug caused a gastric tear and my hemoglobin level went from 12 in good health to 5.6 dangerous.
I attended a three-week pain treatment program at the hospital in October 2016. They helped me wean myself off drugs and use other methods of control pain.
I've had all the symptoms, although to a lesser extent, an addict doing the same thing.
You have the impression of having thousands of insects in your skin. You can not find any comfort, you can not sleep and your stools are broken.
Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England, praised the government's action.
She said: "We know that long-term use of painkillers can lead to addictions that are life-altering and sometimes fatal, so I'm glad to see that steps are being taken to raise public awareness about risks of codeine and prescription drugs.
"It is essential that anyone who is prescribed powerful painkillers take them only as long as they suffer from severe pain.
"As soon as the pain begins to subside, the medications have done their job and it is important to switch to over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol, which do not have the same risk of dependence as the drug in the long run."
Public Health England is already undertaking a review of prescription drug dependence and is reporting on its results this year.
According to Mr. Hancock's plan, the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will be empowered to apply warnings on opioid packaging, in accordance with the recommendations of the task force composed of 39, experts on opioids from the Commission of Human Drugs.
Dr. June Raine, Director of the MHRA's Division of Vigilance and Drug Risk Management, said, "This is an important first step in helping to reduce the risks of addiction associated with opioids, while helping patients get the right information at the right time. " support their care. "
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