Before using analgesics, patients should inform their physician if they have ever had an allergic reaction to any opioid, acetaminophen, or aspirin or other salicylates. Patients should also tell their physician if they have ever had a reaction to any of the following drugs:

Use of prescription and nonprescription analgesics that contain an opioid, or aspirin or another salicylate, may cause an overdose when combined with analgesics used to treat cancer pain. Other medications that can affect treatment with analgesics include:

• Anticoagulants
• Anti-inflammatories
• Antidepressants
• Central nervous system (CNS) depressants
• Diarrhea medicine
• Oral diabetes drugs (antidiabetic agents)
• Urinary alkalizers

Patients taking analgesics should consult their physicians before taking any additional prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements or herbal medications. Patients should also report any allergies to other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes. Alcohol and other CNS depressants should not be used with analgesics. Examples of CNS depressants include:

• Anesthetics
• Antihistamines or other allergy medications
• Antiseizure medications (anticonvulsants)
• Barbiturates
• Cold medications
• Muscle relaxants
• Any prescription pain medication
• Sedatives, tranquilizers or sleeping pills, including benzodiazepines

Other medications that may adversely interact with analgesics include:

• Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), an antibiotic used primarily to treat tuberculosis
• Sulfinpyrazone (Anturane), a gout medication
• Vitamin supplements