NARCOTIC DRUGS

The term narcotic (na:r’katIk/) from ancient greek word narco ‘to make numb’
originally reffered medically to any psychoactive compound with numbing or
paralysis properties .

Narcotic , drug that produces analgesia (pain relief),narcosis

,and addiction (physical dependence on drug ).In some people narcotics also produce
euphoria (a feeling of great elation. A brief treatment of narcotics follows .

The main therapeutic use of narcotics is for pain relief , and hence they are often
called narcotic analgesics.The best known narcotics are the opiates _ i.e., compounds
found in or derived from opium. Opium is obtained as the dreid milky juice of the
seed pods of the opium poppy (papaver somniferm).Of the 20 or more alkaloids
found in opium ,the most important is morphine ,which is primarily responsible for
opium ‘s narcotic properties .Drugs with actions similar to morphine that are
produced synthetically are known as opiods; the terms opiate, opioid, and narcotics
are used interchangeable.

The most commonly used narcotic drugs are listed below ;

 Opium
 Herion
 codeine
 Tramadol
 Morphine
  Fentanyl

OPIUM

For years, opium was a widely – used drug derieved from the crude botanical extract
extruded from the opium poppy plant.With minimal processing , opium consisted of
a mixture of naturally - occuring opiate alkaloids- substances that serve as the
building blocks for the synthesis of many modern opoid drugs.Opium was sometimes
distributed as a liquid or solid,but most encountered as a borwnish powder.

Opium was most commonly smoked but could also be pressed into pill form or
dissolved into a tincture or other solution for oral use or injection.

Opium is not as common a drug abuse in united states as other opoids are,and
outside of limited use as an anti-diarrheal agent, has no medical use in its
traditional form.

HERION

Opiods like herion dull pain ,but can also impair cognition, increase sedation, and
slow certain autonomic functions such as those that control respiratory rate.Herion
may be distributed as a brown or white powder or a sticky black substance called
‘black tar herion’.Herion creats ann intense and rapid ‘high’ or ‘rush’, and
individuals state, called being ‘on the nod’.
As prescription opoid become costlier and less accessible, individuals may be opting
for cheap options like herion.o

Overdose of herion is a major risk of abuse.The rate of herion overdose deaths

increased by nearly 20 percent from 2015 to 2016,and close to 15,500 people died
from drug overdose involving herion in 2016.

Herion overdose symptoms may include markedly constricted pupils, difficulties

breathing, respiratory arrest ,stupor. Sluggish movements, confusion, clammy and cold
skin, slow heart rate and low blood pressure ,a bluish tinge to the nails and lips , and
a potential loss of conciousness.

Codeine
Codeine is a relatively mild opoid analgesic and a less potent painkiller than
morphine . Codeine also has antitussive properties, and it is regularly prescribed to
treat coughs as well as pain. The drug may be misused by consuming the tablets or
oral solution in quantities that exceed prescribed doses as well as by combining it
with other intoxicating substances.
It is generally to be less addictive and habit-forming drug than more potent
narcotics; however it still carries a risk for abuse , dependence, addiction and
overdose.

FENTANYL

Fentanyl is prescribed to treat chronic and severe pain in those who are tolerant to
opoids. Fentanyl is a schedule II drug that is 50-100 times more potent than
morphine.

Fentanly is a synthetic opoid that is also manufactured illicity in illegal labouraties

and may be used to’cut’ herion or used as a cheaper substitute.Indiduals may not
realize that the drug they are taking is laced with, or contains fentanly.

The drug is capable of eliciting an intense and rapid rush of euphoria, making it
extremely addictive. Due to its small molecular size , fentanyl is able to be absorbed
through the skin on contact due to its potent effects.
TRAMADOL
Tramadol is somewhat unique opoid analgesic that not only has opoid agonist
effects but also acts to block the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.More
than 43 million tramadol prescriptions were dispensed in 2013.

Tramadol has generally been considered to have a relatively low abuse and
dependence potential.

Tramadol is most often abussed by people who are opoid dependent already, by
healthcare providers,and byy chronic pain suffereres.While it may be lead t
physical dependence addiction, espacially when misused.
MORPHINE
Morphine is a pain medication of the opiate family that is found naturally in a
dark brown , resinous form from poppy plant (papaver somniferum).It acts directly
on the central nervous system to decrease the feeling of pain.It can be taken for
both acute pain and chronic pain and is frequently used for pain from myocardial
infraction , kidney stones, and during labor.Morphine can be administrated by
mouth , by injection into a muscle, by injection under the skin.

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF NARCOTIC ANALGESICS

INCLUDE;

 CONSTIPATION
 NAUSEA
  SEDATION
 ITCHING
 ADDICTION
 VOMITTING
 ABDOMINAL PAIN
 DRY MOUTH
 HEADACHE
 CHEST PAIN
 CARDAIC ARREST

MECHANISM OF NARCOTICS

Opiod drugs, typified by morphine , produce their pharmacological actions, including

analgesia, acting on receptors located on neuronal cell membranes.The presynaptic
action of opoids to inhibit neurotransmitter release is considered to be their major
effect in the nervous system.There are 3 types of opoid receptors m, d and k. All
are coupled to intracellular mechanisms via G- proteins.The discovery of the
molecular structure of opioid receptores provides more precise approaches for the
study of opioid pharmacology.These should lead to the development of new drugs
for the therapeutic use.
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