Pain medications can be a double-edged sword. People in pain need help. Too much of a good thing, however, can cause addiction and endanger health.

In many cases, pregnancy and opioids don't mix. Still, many women may be prescribed these medications.

Medications intended to ease pain can sometimes cause more when an overdose occurs. People in certain US states may be at a greater risk for overdoses based on the prescription practices in those states.

Opioids are a commonly prescribed type of medication used to treat chronic pain conditions and post-surgical pain. But the FDA has concerns that people may be misusing opioids and wants to tighten access to one of these medications.

While surgery can solve some potentially serious problems, it can also be a painful process to recover from. After surgery to remove tonsils, patients are likely to receive pain medications. But they may not have to turn to strong prescription drugs to relieve their pain.