What is an Opioid?
An opioid is a chemical substance used for pain
relief. There are several different kinds of opioids including:
- natural
opiates
- semi-synthetic opiates
- fully synthetic
opioids
- endogenous opioid peptides.
Natural
opiates are contained in the resin of the opium
poppy plant and include morphine and codeine. Semi-synthetic opiates are created from natural opioids and include buprenorphine, hydrocodone,
oxycodone, hydromorphone and oxymorphone. Fully synthetic opioids
include Fentanyl, Tramadol and Methadone. Endogenous opioid peptides
are produced naturally by the body and include endorphins and dynorphins.
Though often used synonymously, the terms “opiate” and “opioid” have
two different meanings.
Opiates are drugs derived from opium. The
word “opioids” refers to synthetic
opiates such as Fentanyl,
but the term is more often used to describe the
entire class of opiates,
including semi-synthetic and synthetic. An opioid
is any substance that activates the body’s opioid receptors. They bind to the
receptors in the central nervous system and in other tissues.
Opiod Uses
Opioids have been around for ages and are used in the treatment of
pain due to injuries, illness or surgery. They are prized for their
important role in treating long-term, chronic
pain in those who are terminally ill with conditions such as cancer.
In recent years, prescriptions
for opiate painkillers have increased, especially
for non-malignant, chronic pain. Prescriptions for strong opiates
have been reportedly written for conditions such as headaches and
menstrual cramps. In the U.S., opioids are indicated for the following
uses:
- Analgesic to combat pain
- Cough suppressant
- Diarrhea
- Drug detoxification (methadone and buprenorphine)
Tolerance, Addiction, Withdrawal And Side Effects
Once introduced into the body, opiates create more and more opiate
receptor sites. This is responsible for what is known as tolerance.
Users can build up a tolerance and require a higher dose to achieve
the same effect. Physical and/or psychological addiction can occur
with regular use.
Detoxing from opioids can be extremely difficult
and many people require in-patient treatment
that is medically supervised.
Withdrawal from opioid drugs can be
very intense. Symptoms include:
- vomiting
- muscle
and bone pain
- fatigue
- depression
- anxiety
- nausea
- tremors
- muscle spasms
- chills
- sweating
- irritability
- restlessness and sleep problems.
Congress outlawed non-clinical use of opioids including heroin in
1914 with the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act. Though reports from around
the world show that opioids can be safe when taken properly, illicit
use and addiction have skyrocketed in recent years.
Common side effects of opioids include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- drowsiness
- constipation
- dry mouth
- pupil constriction
- itching.M
More serious, but less frequent,
side effects include:
- muscle rigidity
- respiratory
depression
- confusion
- hallucination
- delirium
- dizziness
- headaches
- slowed heart rate
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