Introduction
Natural opioids help in the reduction of pain. They have similar properties to that of the drug morphine. Natural opioids are derived from a plant called the opium poppy. They have many medicinal properties and have been cultivated for several years. Natural opioids are used to reduce pain, relaxation, and to reduce cough. Some of the natural opioids are codeine, morphine, papaverine, thebaine, and noscapine. These opioids can be very addictive and can result in psychological and physical dependence when overly used. These opioids should be used under the supervision of a medical professional and should be used for a shorter duration to get the therapeutic effect. Alternative management of pain strategies like non-opioid medications and physical therapy should be used whenever possible.
What Are Opioids?
A class of drugs that are used to reduce pain is called opioids. The mechanism of action of opioid include binding to the receptors present in the brain and it helps in blocking the pain receptors. Opioids are present in natural and synthetic forms. Natural opioids include Codeine and Morphine. Synthetic opioids include Oxycodone and Fentanyl. Opioids are usually prescribed to reduce pain after surgery, cancer, or any type of injury. These classes of drugs are very addictive and can cause dependence on a psychological and physical level. So the use of opioids should be monitored carefully by a healthcare professional.
What Are the Types of Natural Opioids?
The natural opioids that are derived from the plant opium poppy include the following:
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Morphine - It is a powerful pain medication that helps in the reduction of severe pain caused by injury, surgery, or cancer. It binds to the pain receptors in the brain, thus reducing pain and giving a relaxed feeling or euphoria. Morphine can cause side effects like nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, respiratory problems, and constipation.
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Codeine - This opioid medication is used to reduce mild to moderate amounts of pain which are caused by injury, surgery, or any dental procedures. The mechanism of action of codeine is also similar to that of morphine by binding to the pain receptors in the brain and creating a relaxed feeling or euphoria.
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Thebaine - It is an alkaloid present in the plant opium poppy. It is similar to codeine and morphine in structures but it is not used for reducing pain. It is used as a precursor in the production of semi-synthetic opioids. Thebaine has a very analgesic effect, so it is not used in the management of pain. It has a toxic effect when used in higher doses and can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and respiratory problems. The use of thebaine is controlled in various countries.
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Papaverine - It is used as a smooth muscle relaxant. It can treat conditions like erectile dysfunction, vasospasm, and various gastrointestinal disorders. It works by relaxation of the smooth muscles which will increase the blood flow to certain parts of the body. It can have a direct effect on the smooth muscles present in the gastrointestinal tract thereby reducing cramps and spasms. It is available in various forms like oral capsules, topical creams, and injectable solutions. It is usually well tolerated. It can also cause side effects like nausea, headache, vomiting, and dizziness. In some rare cases, it can cause some serious conditions like liver damage or allergic reactions.
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Noscapine - They are used to treat coughs that are not caused by any respiratory conditions or asthma. It works by decreasing the sensitivity of the cough reflex. It does not help in reducing pain. They also do not have additive properties like other opioids. They are available in various forms like syrup and oral capsules. It can also cause some side effects like vomiting, headache, and dizziness.
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Morphine-6-Glucuronide - M6G or morphine-6-glucuronide is a metabolite produced by the breakdown of morphine after usage. M6G is found in the liver after glucuronidation of morphine. M6G has properties similar to morphine. The main disadvantage of M6G is that it can cause respiratory depression. They also have more duration of action than morphine.
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Codeine-6-Glucuronide - C6G or codeine-6-glucuronide is a codeine metabolite formed by the breakdown of codeine after use. They have similar properties to that of codeine but have a longer duration of action.
What Is the Source of Natural Opioids?
Natural opioids are produced from a plant called the opium poppy. They are cultivated in different parts of the world. The opium poppy plant has various alkaloids like codeine, morphine, and thebaine. Natural opioids are produced from the latex of the opium poppy. This is the primary source of opium.
What Are the Benefits of Natural Opioids?
The benefits of natural opioids include the following:
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Reducing Pain - Natural opioids help in reducing pain after an injury, surgery, or cancer.
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Reduce Coughing - Natural opioids help in the suppression of cough.
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Sedation - They can help in giving a sedative feel by giving relaxation. It helps patients who are in severe pain or during any surgical procedures.
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Euphoria - It helps in producing euphoria which helps in patients who have anxiety or depression.
What Are the Disadvantages of Opioids?
The disadvantages of opioids include the following:
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Using opioids can result in addiction and dependence which can result in psychological and physical changes.
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Long-term use of opioids can result in tolerance to them. In such cases, higher dosages of opioids are needed to reduce the same level of pain.
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They can have various side effects like dizziness, constipation, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and respiratory depression.
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Opioids can react with other medications which will increase the chance of respiratory disorders and overdose.
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Overdosage of opioids is fatal and has many risks.
What Are the Contraindications of Opioids?
The contraindications of opioids include the following:
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People with an allergy to natural or other types of opioids.
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People with respiratory problems like reduced breathing.
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In case of head injury which can cause increased intracranial pressure.
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People with kidney or liver problems cannot metabolize natural opioids which can result in toxicity.
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Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. They can cross the placenta and can harm the fetus.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a substance derived from a plant called opium poppy which is used to reduce pain and has similar properties to that of morphine is called natural opioids. They are used to reduce cough, pain and also for relaxing. They should be used under the supervision of a health care professional as they cause dependence. The use of opioids should be monitored closely to prevent potential risks. Use other methods of pain management whenever possible to prevent addiction.
