Opioids
Opioids
Opioids (/ˈoʊpiɔɪdz/) are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others.
Etymology
The term "opioid" originated in the 1950s. It combines the words "opium" and "-oid" meaning 'resembling' in Greek. The word was coined to distinguish between agents found in opium from those synthetically created.
Usage
Opioids are used to relieve pain because they lower the number of pain signals the body sends to the brain. They also change how the brain responds to pain. Doctors may prescribe opioids to people after surgery or to help with severe acute or chronic pain.
Types of Opioids
- Heroin: Heroin is an opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance taken from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants.
- Fentanyl: Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent.
- Oxycodone: Oxycodone is a medication that can treat moderate to severe pain.
- Hydrocodone: Hydrocodone is used to relieve severe pain and is only used to treat people who are expected to need medication to relieve severe pain around-the-clock for a long time.
- Codeine: Codeine is an opioid medication used to treat mild to moderately severe pain.
- Morphine: Morphine is a pain medication of the opiate type which is found naturally in a number of plants and animals.
Risks and Addiction
Opioids are highly addictive, and overuse can lead to opioid use disorder, a medical condition that can cause significant impairment or distress. Symptoms of opioid addiction include strong desire for opioids, inability to control or reduce use, continued use despite interference with major obligations or social functioning, use of larger amounts over time, development of tolerance, spending a great deal of time to obtain and use opioids, and withdrawal symptoms that occur after stopping or reducing use, such as negative mood, nausea or vomiting, muscle aches, diarrhea, fever, and insomnia.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Opioids
- Wikipedia's article - Opioids
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