Which term encompasses natural, semisynthetic, and synthetic opioids?

Which term encompasses natural, semisynthetic, and synthetic opioids?

• A. Opiates
• B. Opioids
• C. Endorphins
• D. Receptors

Answer: (B)

Opioids is the umbrella term for drugs that act on the body's opioid system. It includes natural substances from the opium poppy (like morphine and codeine), semisynthetic ones made from those natural bases (such as heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodone), and fully synthetic compounds produced in laboratories (for example, fentanyl and methadone). All of these interact with opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord to produce analgesia, and often sedation and euphoria. Endorphins are the body's own opioid peptides, not a drug category, and receptors refer to the proteins that these drugs bind to, not a class of drugs.

Opioids is the umbrella term for drugs that act on the body's opioid system. It includes natural substances from the opium poppy (like morphine and codeine), semisynthetic ones made from those natural bases (such as heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodone), and fully synthetic compounds produced in laboratories (for example, fentanyl and methadone). All of these interact with opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord to produce analgesia, and often sedation and euphoria. Endorphins are the body's own opioid peptides, not a drug category, and receptors refer to the proteins that these drugs bind to, not a class of drugs.