Opioids

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

• Opioid: any compound that binds an opioid receptor
• Opiate: compounds derived from opium poppies
• Narcotic: legal term often meaning opioids but may also refer to any substance with addiction/abuse potential
• Endorphins: Endogenous opioids (Enkephalins, dynorphins, etc.)

Natural Alkaloids

• Derived from Opium poppy (morphine, codeine, thebaine)
• Laudanum

Semi-synthetics

• Use a chemical process to alter the opium poppy
• Hydromorphone
• Hydrocodone
• Oxycodone
• Buprenorphine

Synthetics

• No use of natural alkaloids, just replicate the structure within a laboratory setting
  • Methadone
  • Fentanyl

Misuse

Tolerance

• Different body regions develop intolerance at different rates
• For example you may need a higher dose to achieve the same level of decreased pain, but your pulmonary or cardiac system is still very sensitive