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What Are the Different Types of Opioid Drugs?

Drue Tibbits
Drue Tibbits

Opioids are drugs that work to relieve pain by binding to the body’s opioid receptors. Opioid drugs are separated into three different types based on their composition. Natural opioids are derived from the resin of Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy, while semisynthetic opioids are synthesized from the poppy’s resin or from a natural opioid. Synthetic opioids are manufactured compounds that mimic the action of opioids. Most opioid drugs work as general pain relievers, but some are better at targeting specific types of pain.

Morphine and codeine are natural opioids. Morphine is a powerful pain-relieving drug and is often used for cancer pain. It is also used to treat severe, chronic pain and as a short-term pain reliever for intense pain. Codeine is weaker than morphine and is used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain.

Methadone is a synthetic opioid used to treat heroin addiction.
Methadone is a synthetic opioid used to treat heroin addiction.

Semisynthetic opioids include hydrocodone, oxycodone, and benzylmorphine. Oxycodone works well for patients with combined nerve and bone pain. It is also highly addictive and has a propensity for abuse when not taken as directed. The semisynthetic group of opioids also includes hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is used both to treat moderate pain and to treat opioid addiction.

Natural opiates, including morphine and codeine, are made from opium poppies.
Natural opiates, including morphine and codeine, are made from opium poppies.

Synthetic opoid drugs do not contain opioids, nor are they synthesized from other opioid drugs. Their chemical structure resembles that of other opioids, and they work in the same manner. This group includes methadone, fentanyl, and dextropropoxyphene. Methadone targets nerve pain. It is also used in the treatment of heroin addiction.

Tramadol and tapentadol are opioid drugs that are in a separate class. They do not contain opioids, are not synthesized from opioids, and are not chemically similar to other drugs in the opioid class. They do, however, bind to the body’s opioid receptors and as such are considered opioids. Tramadol was originally developed as a way to treat pain without using addictive opioid formulations, but it was found to be as addictive as traditional opioids in some patients.

Some people going through opioid withdrawals have gastrointestinal issues.
Some people going through opioid withdrawals have gastrointestinal issues.

There are several routes of administration for opioid drugs, although not all opioids are available in all forms. Most can be taken orally in pill form, and some are available as an injectable liquid. There are opioid-based lollipops and lozenges for patients who cannot swallow pills. Patients who need a constant delivery of pain medication can use opioid patches. The patches deliver the opioids directly to a specific site as well as absorb into the bloodstream, providing both direct pain relief and a constant supply of pain medication.

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    • Methadone is a synthetic opioid used to treat heroin addiction.
      By: Richard Villalon
      Methadone is a synthetic opioid used to treat heroin addiction.
    • Natural opiates, including morphine and codeine, are made from opium poppies.
      By: peteri
      Natural opiates, including morphine and codeine, are made from opium poppies.
    • Some people going through opioid withdrawals have gastrointestinal issues.
      By: maya2008
      Some people going through opioid withdrawals have gastrointestinal issues.
    • Prescription opioid drugs come with the risk of dependence and addiction.
      By: kmiragaya
      Prescription opioid drugs come with the risk of dependence and addiction.
    • A person addicted to heroin may scratch excessively during the withdrawal process.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      A person addicted to heroin may scratch excessively during the withdrawal process.
    • Opioids are extremely addictive whether they're smoked, snorted or injected.
      By: palangsi
      Opioids are extremely addictive whether they're smoked, snorted or injected.
    • Agitation and depression are common side effects of codeine abuse.
      By: Monkey Business
      Agitation and depression are common side effects of codeine abuse.