Let's take a minute to talk about your medication.

This is Zohydro. It is an opioid pain medicine. It helps to treat severe pain that requires control around-the-clock. It does not work to treat sudden pain.

You should take Zohydro exactly as your doctor tells you to. You must swallow the capsule whole, and never break, crush, or chew it. Call your doctor if your dose does not control your pain. You should not change your dose or stop taking this medicine unless your doctor says it's okay. 

Most people tolerate this medicine well. Common side effects include a headache, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. It may also make you feel tired or dizzy. You should wait until you know how it affects you before you do activities that require you to be alert, like driving. It's a good idea to stand up slowly to avoid becoming light-headed. Constipation can occur. You should talk to your doctor about a plan to prevent this. If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist. 

As with any medicine, rare but more serious side effects can occur. You should read the Medication Guide to know which symptoms to watch for and when to get emergency medical help. To help keep this medicine safe for you, you should use the lowest dose for the shortest time possible.

Zohydro can have severe drug interactions. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking ANY other medicines. Also, do not drink alcohol. 
This medicine is controlled by federal law. It can put you at risk for addiction, abuse, misuse, overdose, and death. It can be dangerous to others, so store it in a safe place. After you stop taking it you should dispose of it properly. Ask your pharmacist about proper disposal options in your area or go to the FDA.gov website for more information.

Zohydro can be harmful to babies. Women must talk to their doctors before becoming pregnant and should not breastfeed.

For best results with Zohydro, take it exactly as directed, and work with your doctor to find the lowest dose that best controls your pain.