Opioid Health Dictionary

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  2. Opioid

Opioid: From 2 Different Sources

A type of analgesic drug (painkiller) used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Opioids, also knows as narcotic drugs, may be abused for their euphoric effects; abuse may cause tolerance (the need for greater amounts of a drug to get the same effect), and physical and psychological drug dependence.

Commonly used opioids include codeine, diamorphine, morphine, and pethidine.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
A substance with a pharmacological action that is like that of OPIUM or its derivatives.
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

Opioid Poisoning

MORPHINE and CODEINE are natural opium ALKALOIDS found in the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). The other opioids are either synthetic or semi-synthetic analogues of these. Their main use is in the treatment of moderate to severe PAIN, but they are also used as antidiarrhoeal and antitussive agents. As a result of induced tolerance (see DEPENDENCE) and great individual variability, the amount of opioid substances required to cause serious consequences varies enormously.

The most common effects of opioid overdose are vomiting, drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, BRADYCARDIA, CONVULSIONS and COMA. Respiratory depression is common and may lead to CYANOSIS and respiratory arrest. HYPOTENSION occurs occasionally and in severe cases non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and cardiovascular collapse may occur. Cardiac ARRHYTHMIA may occur with some opioids. Some opioids have a HISTAMINE-releasing e?ect which may result in an urticarial rash (see URTICARIA), PRURITUS, ?ushing and hypotension. Activated CHARCOAL should be given following overdose and NALOXONE administered to reverse respiratory depression and deep coma.... opioid poisoning


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