OPIATES

INTRODUCTION What are Opiates?

Any drug derived from opium.

One of the oldest drugs used by man. They were used in prehistoric times where teas

were prepared from opium poppies. Opioids carry the risk of addiction, which is why

they are “scheduled” drugs (Schedule I). They are abused both in overdoses when prescribed and used outside of prescriptions to get high, often accompanied with alcohol.

INTRODUCTION CONT. All opiates cause a pleasant drowsy state

in which all cares are forgotten, and there is a decreased sensation of pain.

Feelings are most intense after injection.

Opiates affect the release of many hormones and neurotransmitters, including those involved in the regulation of sexual behavior.

WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?

Opium farmers cut the developing seed pod of the opium poppy, and collect the gummy fluid that oozes out of the cut over the next few days. Gum opium – Sap is dried into a ball and used

directly. Opium powder – Sap is dried and pounded into a

powder.

Afghanistan = 90% of all worldwide production. (DEA 2005)

HOW PEOPLE TAKE OPIATES Most opiate drugs enter the bloodstream easily

from many routes because they dissolve in fatty substances and so can cross into cells.

Heroin and fentanyl represent one extreme-they are so fat-soluble that they can be absorbed across the mucus lining of the nose.

If opium poppy is heated into a vapor it can be smoked. “opium pipe” – A pipe designed for the vaporization and inhalation of opium.

OPIUM PIPE

HOW OPIATES MOVE THROUGH THE BODY The rate at which opiates enter the brain

depends on how the user takes them. *Fastest way – Inject the drug directly into the

bloodstream. The second fastest way is to smoke it. When opiates are injected or smoked peak

levels in the brain occur within minutes. The faster the buzz the greater the danger of

death by overdose, because drug levels in the brain can rise so quickly.

TYPES OF OPIATES Heroin Morphine Codeine Hydromorphone Oxycodone Hydrocodone Meperidine (Demerol) Fentanyl Each type has a different type of efficiency…

EFFICIENCY OF OPIATE DRUGS

HIGH EFFICIENCY MEDIUM EFFICIENCY

Heroin Morphine Hydromorphon

e Meperidine

(Demerol) Fentanyl

Hydrocodone Oxycodone

LOW EFFICENCY

CodeinePropoxyphe

ne

HEROIN

Heroin – A white, odorless, bitter crystalline compound, that is derived from morphine and is a highly addictive narcotic.

Heroin is a “downer”, or depressant, which affects the brain’s pleasure systems and interferes with the brain’s ability to perceive pain.

Heroin can be injected (most common), snorted, and smoked.

Street names – White junk, smack, big H, diesel, dope, poppy, H.

2.4 million Americans have used it in their life.

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS Appear soon after a single dose, and then

disappear after a few hours. After use the user feels a state of

“euphoria”. After the state of euphoria the user goes

“on the nod”, a wakeful and drowsy state. Mental functioning is clouded Slowed and slurred speech Slower gait (movement/demeanor) Constricted pupils Drooping eyelids Vomiting

LONG-TERM EFFECTS

Chronic users develop: Collapsed veins Infection of heart lining and valves Abscesses Cellulites Liver disease Pulmonary diseases and complications

In addition to the effects of the drug itself, street heroin may have additives that do not really dissolve and result in clogging the blood vessels that lead to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain. This can cause infection or even death of small patches of cells in vital organs.

MORPHINE

Used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Works by dulling the pain perception center in the brain.

Morphine was first isolated from opium in 1805 by German pharmacist Wilhelm Serturner.

Dangerously addicting.

The name comes from the mythological god Morpheus, who was the son of sleep and god of dreams.

Can be taken either orally or injected.

MORPHINE CONT.

Street names are: Dreamer Miss emma Morf

Morphine will not be used post-surgery, only if the individual was using it prior to the surgery.

Morphine was given to U.S. medics during WWII. Medics would administer morphine to soldiers who were wounded in battle.

MEPERIDINE

*Meperidine is also known as Demerol.

Similar to morphine where it dulls the pain perception centers of the brain.

Unlike morphine, it can be used post-surgery.

Demerol is used during labor.

Usually taken as a pill, but can also be injected. Can cause cardiac arrest…

This drug was found in one famous celebrity who passed away in 2009. Who was it?

OXYCODONE

Brand name for oxycodone is…oxycontin. Street names:

Oxy Hillbilly heroin Oxycotton Kicker

Oxycontin first came to the U.S. in 1939, but it wasn’t until Purdue Pharma began manufacturing OxyContin in the United States in 1996 that it became widely used. 

OXYCODONE CONT.

Oxycodone is the drug name of the opiate.

It is also known as “OxyContin”.

*OxyContin is highly addictive, and one of the strongest painkillers available!!

Usually taken orally in pill or tablet form.

Can provide pain relief for up to 12 hours.

Classified as a Schedule II controlled substance

OxyContin most commonly exists in tablet form. These round pills come in 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, 80mg and 160mg dosages.

OXYCODONE SHORT-TERM EFFECTS… The most serious risk associated with

OxyContin, is respiratory depression.

Toxic overdose and/or death can occur by taking the tablet broken, chewed, or crushed.

Other common side effects include constipation, nausea, sedation, dizziness, vomiting.

OXYCODONE LONG-TERM EFFECTS…

Using OxyContin chronically can result in increased tolerance to the drug.

Physically addictive which causes withdrawal symptoms which include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes.

CODEINE

Used to treat mild pain. Another name given to it is methylmorphine. Codeine may be habit-forming and should be

used only by the person it was prescribed for. Usually combined with other pain killers such

as or acetaminophen and aspirin. It may impair your thinking. *Never take with alcohol. Tylenol with codeine…contains

acetaminophen.

PROPOXYPHENE It is used to relieve moderate to mild

pain. Brand names are Darvon, Darvon-N,

and Dolene. Used as a cough suppressant. Weaker than morphine, codeine, and

hydrocodone. Approved by the FDA in August of

1957. Taken orally as a capsule or tablet.

PROPOXYPHENE CONT.

Propoxyphene increases pain tolerance and decreases discomfort but the presence of pain still is apparent.

Side effects: Depress breathing Dizziness Sedation Nausea Vomiting

THE END!