Which of the following is a common side effect of opioid medications?

Opioid medications are known for their pharmacological effects on the central nervous system, which include pain relief but also a range of side effects. One of the most common side effects associated with opioid use is constipation. This is primarily due to opioids binding to receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, which decreases gastrointestinal motility and increases the time it takes for food to move through the intestines. As a result, water is absorbed from the stool, leading to harder and less frequent bowel movements.

The mechanism of action of opioids is linked to their ability to reduce peristalsis in the intestines, which in turn slows down bowel movements. Given this understanding of how opioids affect the body, constipation is a well-recognized and frequently reported side effect, often necessitating the co-prescription of laxatives or stool softeners to help manage this complication.

In contrast, while diarrhea, hypertension, and nausea can occur as side effects of medications, they are not as consistently associated with opioids specifically. Diarrhea could be more related to the withdrawal effects when opioids are discontinued rather than their ongoing use. Hypertension is not a typical side effect; opioids often have sedative properties that can lead to a decrease in blood pressure.