What are opioids?
Opioids are commonly prescribed because of their effective analgesic, or pain-relieving, properties. Medications that fall within this class-referred to as prescription narcotics-include morphine (e.g., Kadian, Avinza), codeine, oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percodan, Percocet), and related drugs. Morphine, for example, is often used before and after surgical procedures to alleviate severe pain. Codeine, on the other hand, is often prescribed for mild pain. In addition to their pain-relieving properties, some of these drugs-codeine and diphenoxylate (Lomotil) for example-can be used to relieve coughs and diarrhea.
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How do opioids affect the brain and body?
Opioids act on the brain and body by attaching to specific proteins called
opioid receptors, which are found in the brain, spinal cord, and
gastrointestinal tract. When these drugs attach to certain opioid
receptors, they can block the perception of pain. Opioids can produce
drowsiness, nausea, constipation, and, depending upon the amount of drug
taken, depress respiration. Opioid drugs also can induce euphoria by
affecting the brain regions that mediate what we perceive as pleasure.
This feeling is often intensified for those who abuse opioids when
administered by routes other than those recommended. For example,
OxyContin often is snorted or injected to enhance its euphoric effects,
while at the same time increasing the risk for serious medical
consequences, such as opioid overdose.
What are the possible consequences of opioid use
and abuse?
Taken as directed, opioids can be used to manage pain effectively. Many
studies have shown that the properly managed, short-term medical use of
opioid analgesic drugs is safe and rarely causes addiction-efined as the
compulsive and uncontrollable use of drugs despite adverse consequences-or
dependence, which occurs when the body adapts to the presence of a drug,
and often results in withdrawal symptoms when that drug is reduced or
stopped. Withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, muscle and bone pain,
insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps ("cold
turkey"), and involuntary leg movements. Long-term use of opioids can lead
to physical dependence and addiction. Taking a large single dose of an
opioid could cause severe respiratory depression that can lead to death.
Is it safe to use opioid drugs with other
medications?
Only under a physician's supervision can opioids be used safely with other
drugs. Typically, they should not be used with other substances that
depress the CNS, such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates,
benzodiazepines, or general anesthetics, because these combinations
increase the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression.
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Source: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) , a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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Information on this page last updated on 06/10/2007