Opioids/narcotics

Tramadol is a pain reliever (analgesic). Its action is similar to opioid narcotics such as codeine and morphine, but it does not depress breathing the way the others can, and less often leads to abuse and addiction. 

G. Calomme and P.J. Lewi, Multivariate analysis of structure-activity data. Spectral map of opioid narcotics in receptor binding. Actual. Chim. Therap., S.l 1 (1984) 121-126. 

Opioids/narcotics (codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine [Demerol], morphine, oxycodone [OxyContin], propoxyphene [Darvon]) (see also individual agents in index) Street Names ... 

Methadone, a synthetic opioid narcotic, is discovered in Germany. Originally named Amidon, methadone was used mainly as a pain reliever. 

Fentanyl and its derivatives are opioid narcotics similar to heroin and are consumed on the street in many of the same ways. These opioids work through receptors in the brain and spine, mimicking naturally present peptides commonly known as endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins. The type of receptor that fentanyl predominately bonds with is the mu receptor. 

As a Schedule II opioid narcotic, meperidine is highly addictive. Treatment for opioid overdose usually involves administration of an opioid antagonist such as Narcan (naloxone), which reverses or blocks the effects of the drug. However, in some cases, those who overdose on meperidine do not respond well to opioid antagonists. 

OFFICIAL NAMES Methadone, Dolophine STREET NAMES Fizzies, dollies, dolls DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS Schedule II, opioid narcotic analgesic... 

Methadone is a synthetic opioid narcotic, discovered in Germany in 1939. Its original name was Ami-don, and it was used mainly as a pain reliever. After the conclusion of World War II, Eli Lilly and other American pharmaceutical companies began clinical trials of the medication, renamed methadone, and also began commercial production. Its original uses in the United States were for pain control and as a component of cough medicine. 

Depressants include four main categories sedative-hypnotics a group of various over-the-counter (nonprescription) sedatives, antihistamines, and muscle relaxants alcohol and the opioids (narcotic drugs that have opium or morphinelike properties). See chapter 7 for a discussion of alcohol. 

The barbiturates also cause a physical dependence different from the opioid narcotics. In an individual addicted to barbiturates, the barbiturates should not be withdrawn abruptly but, rather, tapered slowly. Sudden withdrawal of the barbiturates can precipitate extreme agitation and grand mal seizures. This can lead to a spasm of the respiratory musculature, producing impaired respiration, cyanosis, and possibly, death (42). As a rule, drug dependence is followed by tolerance, in which increasing doses are required to obtain the same pharmacological effect. Because barbiturates cause tolerance and, often, dependence, their use as a hypnotic rarely is justified. 

Morphine A leading drug resulting in visits to the emergency department. Morphine is an opioid narcotic analgesic. Side effects include sedation, decreased blood pressure, increased sweating, flushed face, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. 

Naloxone (Narcan) is a narcotic antagonist and can be used to determine if an unconscious patient has used an opioid narcotic drug. If the patient wakes up after Narcan is administered intravenously, the patient is likely to have ingested or injected an opioid narcotic. 

Narcotic analgesics are opioid narcotics that can induce respiratory depression. The effects of a narcotic analgesic can be reversed by administering a narcotic antagonist. 

Naloxone (Narcan) is the antidote to an overdose of opioid narcotics... 

Conversely, the demonstration of an antitnssive effect in the laboratory does not imply that a pharmacological agent will prove efficacious in a patient population. The opioid narcotic codeine, for example, has been shown in some clinical trials to inhibit capsaicin-induced cough (Dicpinigaitis et al. 1997 Fuller et al. 1988), yet was ineffective against cough due to URTI (Freestone and Eccles 1997). 

Steroids will increase the analgesic effects of opioid narcotics. 

Examples of Schedule II drugs are opiates and opioids (narcotics)—straight opiates of codeine, morphine, meperidine stimulants—amphetamine, methylphenidate depressants— amobarbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital, or any combination, that is, Tuinal hallucinogenic substances and any immediate precursors. 

N. F. Van Nimmen, K. L. Pods and H. A. Veulemans, Identification of exposure pathways for opioid narcotic analgesics in pharmaceutical production workers, Ann. Occup. Hyg., 2006, 50, 665-677. 

Figure 4.5. Structure of hydromorphone, an opioid narcotic. Nearly all opioids bind the p-oplold receptor. There Is no physiological or clinical difference between legal opioids, such as morphine, and illegal ones, such as heroin. In fact, heroin wes thought to be a nonaddic-tive analogue of morphine when it was first developed.

---