This usually passes within a few days once you have got used to the dose. It affects people in different ways, but if you are planning to drive or to work with machinery you should check with your GP first, and test your general reactions and alertness. Drinking alcohol increases the likelihood of drowsiness. Painkillers may make you feel tired. Talk to your GP about how this may affect you at home and at work Stronger painkillers like morphine have two common side effects, constipation and sickness, which can be relieved with other drugs.
Constipation is so common that people are advised to use a laxative throughout their treatment.
Some laxatives soften the stools and make them easier to pass while others stimulate the bowel so that it pushes the stools along more quickly. A combination of the two types is often the best solution and your doctor will be able to advise which ones to use. A dry mouth can be a very distressing, though less serious, side effect of drugs such as codeine and morphine. This does not require drug treatment and can be relieved by drinking plenty of liquid or chewing gum. Some people find that the side effects of morphine are too uncomfortable for them.