Opioids, also known as narcotics, are a class of medications used to control pain. They are the most effective pain medications. Examples of frequently used drugs are oxycodone, morphine, codeine and fentanyl. As a class, opiods have a high potential for dependence and addiction. In most cases, the body adapts to having the drug in the body, which is called tolerance. This process occurs when the neuroreceptors in the brain become desensitized to the drug, which results in the decreased or reduction in its effect in the body.
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid medication. It is the most widely used opioid used in combination with other medications to create new formulations. It can be combined with ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin to create a synergistic effect. The most popular formulation is simply oxycodone itself, known as Oxycontin.
Morphine
Morphine is the original opioid drug. Historically derived from the opium poppy, morphine has been the clinical standard for pain control for decades. It is a narcotic drug use to treat moderate pain and severe pain. Morphine is formulated as a short acting, long-acting or as an extended-release drug. As with other medications in this class, morphine has a high potential for abuse and addiction, and should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor.
Codeine
Codeine is also derived from the poppy plant and has been used for years as an analgesic, anti-coughing and anti-diarrheal medication. In the body, the liver converts codeine into morphine. Codeine has a similar abuse potential as morphine and should be taken only as prescribed.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is much more potent than morphine and it has become the most commonly prescribed pain medication in the United States. It can be used as a transdermal patch or in a chewable tablet or lollipop. The abuse potential is high and should only be used under the care of a doctor. An article published in Anesthesia and Analgesia in 2001, on a study conducted by Dr. Helge Eilers, found some evidence that critical-care patients or terminally ill patients might benefit by giving them small dosages of ketamine infusion to help decrease opioid tolerance to fentanyl.
Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is another opioid tolerant pain medication. Vicodin is an example of hydrocodone plus acetaminophen. This drug is used for pain management. Abuse of the drug is high because frequent use of Vicodin will lead to tolerance.
