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opiods

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Christine Crosby in drug abuse, elise schiller, Family, opiods

Opioids – What Are They?


Opiods – What Are They?

According to Web MD 

Also called narcotics, opioids are a kind of pain medication your doctor may give you after an accident or surgery, or as a treatment for a chronic disease like arthritis. Most are made from the opium plant, but some (called synthetic opioids) are made in a lab. Either way, they affect the reward center of your brain and boost your levels of certain brain chemicals that block pain, slow your breathing, and generally make you feel calm.\

Types

Opioids have different strengths, and some are legal and some aren’t. Examples include:

  • Codeine
  • Meperidine (Demerol)
  • Oxycodone (OxyContin)
  • Oxycodone and acetaminophen (Percocet)
  • Fentanyl
  • Hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Lortab, Norco, Vicodin)
  • Methadone
  • Morphine
  • Heroin

Short-Acting vs. Long-Acting

Short-acting opioids, like Vicodin or Percocet, get medication into your system quickly. When you take them as directed, like immediately after surgery, you probably won’t have any issues. But if you take them for too long, it may be hard to stop. Long-acting opioids, like OxyContin, give your body a smaller amount of medication over a longer time. They’re used to treat diseases that cause chronic pain, like fibromyalgia or arthritis.

Continue to more from WebMD

A hard pill to swallow

Christine Crosby

About the author

Christine is the co-founder and editorial director for GRAND Magazine. She is the grandmother of five and great-grandmom (aka Grandmere) to one. She makes her home in St. Petersburg, Florida.

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