9^th International Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Conference

Various aspects of Opioids

As a pain reliever and a euphoric drug, opioids are believed to produce effects similar to morphine, which is used medically and recreationally by opioid addicts. Opioids were originally opium-derived drugs like morphine, and now the term can be used for semi-synthetic drugs such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and fentanyl as well as antidepressants like naloxone and endogenous endorphins. Opioids are sometimes referred to as narcotics or opium.