Understanding Opiate Side Effects: Risks & Medical Uses

Opiates are controlled substances that include illegal drugs and medications. Opiates, also known as narcotics, can produce a host of side effects, the most serious of which typically result from abuse.

• Opium Poppies

Source

• Opiates are drugs derived from opium, which is a natural byproduct of the opium poppy plant.

Use

• Opiates have a legitimate medical use as anesthetics and analgesics; they are sometimes prescribed to treat coughs and diarrhea. Codeine, Demerol, morphine, Percodan and Vicodin are common examples of medicinal opiates; heroin is an illegal opiate.

Effects

• Opiate effects include pleasurable sensations, pain relief, and they can induce sleep. Opiates produce their effects by binding with opiate receptors throughout the brain and body.

Side Effects

• Opiate side effects include constipation, fatigue, dizziness, anxiety, constricted pupils, itching, tremors, spasms, sweating, hallucinations and delirium.

Danger

• Habitual opiate use can result in addiction and tolerance, which can lead to taking larger and larger doses that may result in overdose and death. Chronic opiate use can result in such side effects as depressed respiration, coma and cardiac arrest.

Allergy

• Opiates can cause allergic reactions, which include itching, swelling, rash and difficulty breathing.