Search results
Opioids include natural, semisynthetic, and synthetic substances
scirp.org
- The major difference between opioids versus opiates is that opioids include natural, semisynthetic, and synthetic substances. But only natural substances are referred to as opiates. This means that prescription medications such as morphine and codeine are opiates.
People also ask
What is the difference between opioid and opiate?
Are all opiates opiates?
What are opiates made of?
What are the different types of opioids?
Jul 15, 2024 · The difference between opioid and opiate is that opioid is a broad term used to describe any type of substance, either natural or man-made (synthetic) that binds to opioid receptors in the brain (these control pain, pleasurable, and addictive behaviors).
- Opiate Dependence - Maintenance
Summary. Our support group for Opiate Dependence -...
- Opiate Dependence - Maintenance
- Overview
- Opiates
- Opioids
- Does one carry more risks than the other?
- The bottom line
The terms “opiates” and “opioids” are often used interchangeably, but they don’t refer to quite the same thing.
Both are narcotics, which means they induce sleepiness or numbness. Many opiates and opioids also cause feelings of euphoria.
The key difference between them is how they’re made: Opiates are naturally occurring compounds, while opioids are either fully or partially synthetic (made by humans).
That said, many people use the term “opioids” to refer to all opiates and opioids.
Opiates are derived from opium poppies (Papaver somniferum).
Examples of opiates include:
•Morphine. Morphine is a prescription pain reliever used to treat moderate to severe acute and chronic pain.
•Codeine. Codeine is used to treat mild to moderate pain and also diarrhea. It’s sometimes mixed with other drugs in over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, like acetaminophen, or cough syrup and cold medication.
Semi-synthetic opioids
Semi-synthetic opioids are produced in a laboratory using opiates. Examples of semi-synthetic opioids include: •Oxycodone. Oxycodone is chemically similar to morphine and used to treat moderate to severe acute pain. It’s usually mixed with other pain-relieving drugs. Pure oxycodone is sold under the brand name OxyContin, but oxycodone is most often combined with other pain drugs and sold under the brand names Roxicodone, Percocet, and Percodan. •Heroin. Heroin is a substance made from morphine. People inject, snort, or smoke it. •Hydrocodone. Hydrocodone is a lot like oxycodone, but it’s mostly prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain that’s long lasting, like cancer pain. •Hydromorphone. Hydromorphone is chemically related to morphine, but it’s a lot more potent. It’s used for moderate to severe pain that doesn’t respond to less potent opioids. It’s sold under the brand name Dilaudid. •Oxymorphone. Oxymorphone is a powerful opioid similar to morphine and 12.5 to 14 times more potent than oxycodone. It’s used only for moderate to severe chronic pain. It’s sold under the brand name Oxana.
Synthetics
Synthetic opioids are lab-made substances that act on the body’s opioid receptors to produce the same effects as opiates. Some examples of synthetic opioids include: •Methadone. Like other opioids, methadone is prescribed to treat pain, but it’s also used with counseling and other therapies in medically assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. •Fentanyl. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and used to treat severe pain after surgery or to treat people with chronic pain who have a tolerance to other opioids. It comes in several forms, including lozenge, patch, or shot. •Tramadol. Sold under the brand name Ultram, tramadol is used for moderate to severe pain.
All opioids and opiates are controlled substances in the United States because of their high potential for misuse and risk of dependence, though some may carry more risk due to their potency.
That said, when used under medical supervision, opioids and opiates can be a safe and effective tool for pain management.
But with all opiates and opioids — including synthetic and semi-synthetic ones — dosage is everything. The higher the dose, the higher the likelihood of harmful side effects and overdose.
Mixing opioids with other substances or taking illegally obtained opioids also increases the risks, partly because it’s hard to know what you’re actually consuming.
Opiates and opioids are very similar but come from different sources. Opiates come from poppy plants while opioids are either entirely or partially lab-made.
Still, most people use the term “opioids” to refer to both opioids and opiates.
- Adrienne Santos-Longhurst
Jul 13, 2021 · The main difference is that opiates are natural substances while opioids include opiates and also man-made drugs. But it doesn’t stop there. We may need to do this step by step.
Opioids: A larger group that includes opiates, these drugs activate opioid receptors in the brain, binding to them and causing the release of endorphins, which leads to pain relief and can cause euphoria. Classes of Opioids.
Dec 18, 2017 · Opiates and opioids are not the same, and should be addressed separately. Instead, they have become interchangeable. We don’t have a heroin or opiate epidemic; we have an “opioid epidemic.”
Oct 18, 2023 · The term “opioid” refers to all substances (natural or synthetic) that engage the brain’s opioid receptors. Opiates are naturally-occurring opioids. The brain cannot distinguish between opiates and opioids. Opioids and opiates have the power to produce a variety of physical and psychological effects.
Feb 27, 2023 · This article reviews the different types of prescription opioids, illegal opioids, how opioids differ from opiates, and when to speak with a doctor. Prescription opioids Share on Pinterest ...
