If you are aware of this, you can be extra careful to avoid accidents. Sometimes it may be unsafe for you to drive a car or even to walk up or down stairs. Avoid operating equipment such as saws or drills, or performing activities that require alertness. Be aware of the effect narcotics have on you so that you can take necessary precautions. The amount of pain reliever you take should be determined by your doctor.
Analgesics affect different people in different ways.
A very small dose may be effective for you, while someone else may need to take a much larger dose to obtain pain relief. Your doctor will try to prescribe the amount of narcotic that will be both safe for you and effective for your pain. Take the medicine as your doctor or nurse has prescribed but tell them at once if your pain is not controlled or if you have severe side effects such as extreme drowsiness or difficulty in breathing. If you do not need as much narcotic as has been prescribed, your doctor or nurse will tell you how to reduce the dose or frequency. Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as you can if you are not getting effective pain relief.