Type

The use of opioid drugs in medicine

Opioids are painkillers that work with opioid receptors in the cells of the body. This drug is made from poppy plants such as morphine (Kadian, Ms Contin) or synthesized in laboratories such as fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic).

When opioids enter and flow in the blood, this one drug will attach to opioid receptors in the cells of the brain, spinal cord, and other organs involved in pain and pleasure. The cells then release pain-reducing signals from the brain to the body and release large amounts of dopamine throughout the body creating a feeling of pleasure.

Usually the class of drugs included in opioids is used to reduce moderate to severe pain. For example, to help control the pain you experience after surgery.

Types of opioids

Here are the different types of opioids, from prescription to illegal:

Prescription opioids

Prescription opioids are usually used to treat moderate to severe pain. In addition, these drugs are usually prescribed after surgery or injury and treat pain associated with cancer.

However, in recent years opioids have also been widely prescribed to treat chronic, non-cancerous pain such as back pain and osteoarthritis.

The types of drugs included in prescription opioids are codeine, morphine, methadone, oxycodone (such as OxyContin®), and hydrocodone (such as Vicodin®).

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is an artificial pain reliever drug that is used to treat severe pain such as cancer and surgery. This type of opioid has 50 to 100 times the strength compared to morphine. This medication is prescribed in the form of a patch (patch) which needs to be changed every 72 hours.

Heroin

Heroin is a type of opioid drug that is illegal and highly addictive. This medicine is made from morphine, which is a natural substance extracted from the seeds of various poppy plants that grow in Southeast and Southwest Asia, Mexico, and Colombia.

Heroin is usually used as an anesthetic which is quite potent in surgical procedures. When heroin enters the brain and binds to opioid receptors on cells in various areas, you usually won't feel any pain even if you are in the process of surgery. On the other hand, heroin can also provide pleasure and affect your heart rate, sleep, and breathing.

Opioid side effects

Opioids are drugs with side effects that cannot be underestimated. At lower doses, opioids usually cause a variety of side effects such as:

Constipation
Nausea, vomiting and dry mouth
Drowsiness and dizziness
Dazed
Depression
Itching and sweating
Lowering testosterone levels

While at higher doses it can usually slow down your breathing and your heart rate. If left untreated, the condition is very dangerous because it can cause death.

Also, the feeling of pleasure that results from opioids is usually addictive. As a result, opioids are drugs that can become very addicting and experience withdrawal symptoms if they are stopped.

To reduce side effects that can harm you, you should not try to use it without your doctor's permission. Always adhere to the drinking rules as prescribed. In addition, make sure your doctor is aware of all medications and supplements you are currently taking with your opioids.