Can prescribed narcotics be bad for you ?

1: There is a down side to all medications. Although not frequent addiction is always a possibility with prescribed narcotics. Constipation and altered mental function are frequent and sometimes debilitating adverse effects.

Balance the Risks: Opioids , drugs like morphine can sometimes be a good treatment for pain. They seldom cause mental slowing after the first few days unless combined with other drugs such as Valium or xanax (alprazolam). They don't affect the kidneys or liver and except for constipation have no GI side effects.They can cause low hormone levels in some cases. These drugs require close monitoring for multiple obvious reasons.

Depends: The presence of a prescription does not make a drug harmlful or harmless. Why are you taking it? Is it short term or intermittent for severe pain? Than don't worry. If not- the risks of use begin to increase. Regular use will result in tolerance and withdrawal which can worsen pain especially if you are only taking immediate release, short acting agents.

Yes: They can be harmful. There are risks with any treatment or medication. Risks of opioids (narcotics) are tolerance, dependence, addiction, decreased immune function, decreased testosterone levels, breathing problems, and death. Opioid related deaths now outnumber deaths related to cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines combined. It's a serious issue in the US, as our prescriptions rate has skyrocket.