Definition af opiat

Opiat: A medication or an illegal drug that is derived from the opium poppy. Opiates are narcotic sedatives that depress activity of the central nervous system reduce pain and induce sleep. Codeine morphine and heroin are examples of opiates. In contrast the term opioid is a broader term that originally was used to refer to any substance natural (such as opiates) or synthetic that bind to the opioid receptors in the brain and cause sedative and pain relief effects. Some examples of synthetic opioids include the prescription painkillers hydrocodone (Vicodin) and oxycodone ( OxyContin ) as well as fentanyl and methadone . In recent years the term opioid has been used more broadly and is often used to refer to the entire class of drugs that consists of both opium derivatives (opiates) and synthetic opioids.

Bivirkninger af alle opioider kan omfatte overvåget kvalme og forstoppelse. Langtidsbrug kan producere afhængighed og overforbrug kan forårsage overdosis og potentielt død.