Opioid antagonist
Opioid Antagonist
An Opioid Antagonist (pronounced: oh-pee-oid an-tag-uh-nist) is a type of pharmacological agent that counteracts or inhibits the physiological effects of opioids in the body.
Etymology
The term "Opioid Antagonist" is derived from the Greek words "opion" which means "poppy juice", and "antagonistes" which means "competitor, rival or adversary".
Function
Opioid antagonists work by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain and other parts of the body, thereby blocking the effects of opioids. They are primarily used in the treatment of opioid overdose and in the management of opioid addiction.
Types
There are several types of opioid antagonists, including:
- Naloxone: This is the most commonly used opioid antagonist for emergency treatment of opioid overdose.
- Naltrexone: This is used primarily in the management of opioid addiction.
- Nalmefene: This is used in the treatment of alcohol dependence.
Related Terms
- Opioid: A type of drug that includes both legal pain relievers (e.g., morphine, codeine) and illegal drugs (e.g., heroin).
- Opioid Receptors: Proteins in the brain and other parts of the body that opioids bind to.
- Opioid Overdose: A potentially fatal condition caused by consuming too much of an opioid.
- Pharmacology: The study of how drugs interact with the body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Opioid antagonist
- Wikipedia's article - Opioid antagonist
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