what are opioids

Opioids are a class of drugs that are used to treat persistent or severe pain. They attach to proteins called opioid receptors on nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord, gut, and other parts of the body, blocking pain messages sent from the body through the spinal cord to the brain. While they can effectively relieve pain, opioids carry some risks and can be highly addictive. Some opioids are made from naturally occurring plant compounds, while others are synthetic. Examples of opioids include morphine, heroin, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. Opioids can be prescribed by doctors or obtained illegally. The different types of opioids are prescribed by doctors in different strengths and under different brand names such as OxyContin, Percocet, Palladone, and Vicodin. Symptoms of opioid use include drowsiness, constipation, euphoria, nausea, vomiting, and slowed breathing. Opioid drugs can cause addiction, also known as opioid use disorder (OUD) .