Opiod

Opioids 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. These drugs are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain.

History[edit | edit source]

The use of opioids dates back to the 3rd century BC, where they were used in traditional medicine in Ancient Greece. The term "opioid" was first used in the 1960s to differentiate synthetic opioids from naturally occurring opiates.

Medical uses[edit | edit source]

Opioids are most commonly used medically for pain relief, including anesthesia. Other medical uses include suppression of diarrhea, replacement therapy for opioid use disorder, reversing opioid overdose, suppressing cough, as well as for executions in the United States, and suppressing opioid induced constipation.

Side effects[edit | edit source]

The side effects of opioids may include itchiness, sedation, nausea, respiratory depression, constipation, and euphoria. Long-term use can cause tolerance, meaning that increased doses are required to achieve the same effect, and physical dependence, meaning that abruptly discontinuing the drug leads to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. The euphoria attracts recreational use and frequent, escalating recreational use of opioids typically results in addiction. An overdose or concurrent use with other depressant drugs commonly results in death from respiratory depression.

Society and culture[edit | edit source]

Opioids are subject to recreational use and misuse, leading to a widespread opioid crisis in several countries. In the United States, the crisis has been considered a public health emergency. The crisis has also led to significant advances in addiction medicine.