Morphine, Heroin

Commonly Abused Opiates

Heroin Oxycontin Percocet Vicodin Methadone Morphine

HEROIN

chemically known as diacetylmorphine is considered a prodrug because it is broken down into an active drug

Endorphins

feel-good chemicals naturally-manufactured in the brain when the body experiences pain or stress

John Hopkins

found human brain's neurons had specific receptor sites for opiate drugs: opium, heroin, and morphine.

Naloxone

opiate antagonist which reverses opiate overdoses

Naltrexone

opioid antagonist. Blocks the action of opioids Not addictive or sedating Patients have trouble complying with the TX though.

MORPHINE

Low oral bioavailability (25%): the degree and rate at which a substance (as a drug) is absorbed into the circulatory system crosses into the brain slower than drugs like heroin; addicted person would always choose heroin other than this

Morphine & Heroin

Main effects: activation of the dopaminergic system & opioid system

Buprenorphine

partial opioid agonist slow acting opioid Taken orally so reaches brain slowly Heroin addicts are put on this wean them off of heroin replaces the heroin without giving the "rush" If the addict tries to take heroin, the methadone blocks the euphoric effects of it Eventually the addict's neurotransmitter production returns to normal if they can avoid taking heroin