Dry Mouth, Urinary Retention, and Slowed Breathing

Dry mouth

Dry mouth can be a side effect of any opioid (pronounced OH-pee-oyd, and also called narcotic) or antidepressant. It usually eases up with time, but some degree of dry mouth often persists.

To combat the annoyance and discomfort of dry mouth:

• Carry water with you wherever you go.
• Avoid dry foods.
• Drink fluids with every meal to help wash down your food.
• Suck on hard candies and use chewing gum to turn on your saliva.
• If you have an extremely dry mouth, ask your doctor about artificial saliva products.

Urinary retention

Large dosages of opioids may cause you to have a full, distended bladder that you can't empty on your own.

This side effect is managed by lowering the narcotic dose and by occasionally using a catheter (a tube put into the urethra, the opening next to the vagina) to drain the bladder. Those combined actions help restore your ability to urinate on your own. Some people may also benefit from a prescription of Hytrin (chemical name: terazosin) or Flomax (chemical name: tamsulosin).

Slowed breathing

Slowed breathing, also called respiratory depression, can be a side effect of high doses of opioids. If your breathing is slowed to a level that causes concern, this can be reversed with medication that blocks opioids called naloxone (brand name: Narcan).

Your doctor might also suggest switching to a different opioid.