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

Opioid analgesics are commonly prescribed for pain management, but they come with a range of side effects, one of the most prevalent being constipation. Opioids exert their analgesic effects by binding to specific receptors in the central nervous system, which not only dampens pain signals but also slows gastrointestinal motility. This slowing of gut movement leads to decreased peristalsis, resulting in harder stools and difficulty with bowel movements, characteristics of opioid-induced constipation.

Constipation is a particularly important side effect to monitor because it can significantly affect a patient's quality of life, make management of pain more complex, and, if untreated, lead to further complications such as bowel obstruction. Therefore, when prescribing opioids, it is crucial for healthcare providers to anticipate this side effect and provide appropriate interventions, such as recommending stool softeners or laxatives as preventive measures.

The other options listed, while they can occur in different contexts or patient populations, are not typically associated with opioid use in the same way that constipation is.