Patient Resources

Treating Your Pain at Home Brochure

Treating Your Pain At Home ImageLearn how to recognize the symptoms of severe, moderate and mild pain, how to treat them and when to contact your doctor.

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Treating Your Child's Pain at Home Brochure

Treating Your Child's Pain At Home ImageLearn how to recognize the symptoms of severe, moderate and mild pain in your child, how to treat them and when to contact their doctor.

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Using Opioids After Surgery Brochure

Prescription Opioids. The proper use, storage and disposal. Managing Your Pain. Pain is not the same for every person. During your visit you will talk with your doctor on how to take care of your paind with and without medicines. Opioids like Percocet, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are strong pain relievers used for severe paine, but are not the only way to feel better. Opioids have many side effects and can be addictive. To decrease the misuse of opioids, the NC stop act started July 2017. This law stops doctors from giving more than a 5 to 7 day supply of opioid pain medicines. Your doctor may discuss other options that work well and may be safer for you to help your pain. These include Tylenol and Advil or Motrin, ice elevation, or rest. Your doctor can answer any questions you may have before your next visit. Please see their contact information in your discharge papers.

  • Common side effects of opioids
  • How to store your medications
  • Locations where you can safely dispose of unused medications
  • How to properly dispose of unused medications

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MedSafe Disposal Locations

Medsafe Medication Disposal BoxSafely dispose unused medicine at one of four free take-back sites at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. You can also download a flier and poster to promote the location of our MedSafe box locations.

Learn More about Safe Disposal of Medicine

Online Resources

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/opioids

Carolina Poison Center
1-800-222-1222

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/
prescribing/patients.html