Cough medicines opiates

Dextromethorphan, contained in many nonprescription cough medicines, will produce a heavy psychedelic trip, but the nausea characteristic of the opiates may constitute a problem. Kosterlitz and Villareal (Eds.) AGONIST AND ANTAGONIST ACTIONS OF NARCOTIC ANALGESIC DRUGS (1972) and Braude et al. (Eds.) NARCOTIC ANTAGONISES (1973) are useful. 

Some side-effects are not particularly serious. Some, in fact, can be advantageous. Euphoria, for example, is a useful side-effect when treating pain in terminally ill patients. Other side-effects, such as constipation, are uncomfortable but can give clues as to other possible uses for opiate-like structures. For example, opiate structures are widely used in cough medicines and the treatment of diarrhoea. 

Molecular modification of codeine led to dextromethorphan, the active ingredient in most cough medicines. Etorphine was synthesized when scientists realized that analgesic potency was related to the drug s ability to bind hydrophobically to the opiate receptor (Section 30.6). Etorphine is about 2000 times more potent than morphine, but it is not safe for use by humans. It has been used to tranquilize elephants and other large animals. Pentazocine is useful in obstetrics because it dulls the pain of labor, but does not depress the respiration of the infant as morphine does. 

Several powerful and important modem medicines are derived from opium or are synthetic or semi-synthetic narcotics with opiate-like effects. Many of these medicines are primarily used to control pain but are also used to control coughs and diarrhea, and as anesthesia. 

In medicine today, narcotics are the main drugs used to treat severe pain. They arc also prescribed to control bad coughs. In proper doses, when they are really needed, opiates are safe and extremely effective. Anyone who has experienced the rapid relief of terrible pain by narcotics knows what blessings they can be. By allowing sick and injured people to take their minds off pain, to feci better, to relax and rest, they can also indirectly promote healing. Opium and its derivatives have earned a secure place in treatment over many years of medical experience. 

Although this quote may seem more a testament to the ignorance of medical problems of this age, certainly the remarkable analgesic (pain-relieving) properties of opium must have made it seem helpful for many disease states. In fact, opiate drugs do have special cough-suppressant and antidiarrheal properties in addition to their analgesic actions, and they are used in modern medicine for these purposes. 

Illicit drugs, especially LSD, ecstasy, amphetamine, cocaine, opiates Over the counter (OTC) medicines dextromethorphan (cough syrups)... 

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