Overview of Narcotic Analgesics

There are two subcategories of Narcotic Analgesics. The first subcategory consists of the Opiates. The second subcategory are the Synthetics. The Opiates are drugs that either contain or are derived from opium. There are two basic types of opiates, alkaloids and derivatives. An “alkaloid” is a substance that is found in another substance, and can be isolated from it. For example, Morphine, Codeine and Thebaine are all found in opium and are natural alkaloids. Opium Derivatives are produced by chemically treating the natural alkaloid. Heroin is probably the most famous Opium Derivative, but there are a number of other important drugs that are produced in this manner. The source for both the Natural Alkaloids and the Opium Derivatives is a particular species of poppy plant, called the “opium poppy”, or Papaver Somniferum. Latin for “the poppy that brings sleep” Opium is the sap from the seed pods of the plant.

The second subcategory of Narcotic Analgesic had nothing to do with the opium poppy. This subcategory consists of Synthetics, which are produced artificially from a variety of non-opiate substances. One of the best know of these is Methadone, a drug used as a substitute for Heroin in drug treatment programs. The synthetics do not derive from opium at all, but have similar or identical effects.

All Narcotic Analgesics share three distinguishing characteristics:

• Pain relief
• Produce withdrawal signs and symptoms, when the drug is stopped after chronic administration.
• Their use will suppress the withdrawal signs signs and symptoms of chronic morphine administration. (This means that the various Narcotic Analgesics can be substituted for each other to relieve withdrawal symptoms.)

Possible Effects of Narcotic Analgesics

The effects that a Narcotic Analgesic user will experience and exhibit depend on the tolerance that user has developed for the drug. As a person develops a tolerance for the drug, that person will experience diminishing effects if they continue to take the same dosage of the drug. Conversely, if the person wishes to experience the same effect he or she will have to take steadily larger doses as tolerance develops.

People develop a tolerance to Narcotic Analgesics fairly rapidly. A Narcotic Analgesic user who has developed tolerance and who has taken his or her “normal” dose of the drug may exhibit little or no evidence of intellectual or physical impairment. The clinical and physical effects of Narcotic Analgesics usually are evident with new users, or with tolerant users who have taken more than their “normal” dose. One of the most easily observed effects is a condition known as “on the nod”. This is a semiconscious type of sleep, brought about by the sedative action of the drug. When a user is “on the nod”, their eyelids will become very droopy, and the head will slump forward until the chin rests on the chest. The user usually can be awakened easily and be sufficiently alert to respond to questions.

In general the effects of Narcotic Analgesics include:

• Constricted pupils
• Slowed reflexes
• Slow, low raspy voice
• Sluggish “rubber-like” movements
• Slowed breathing
• Cold skin
• Possible vomiting
• Muscle tone normal or flaccid
• “On the Nod”
• “Track marks” (Needle marks)
• Droopy eyelids
• Facial itching
• Dry mouth
• Euphoria

Signs and Symptoms of Narcotic Analgesic Overdose

Narcotic Analgesics depress the respiration. The user’s breathing becomes slow and shallow, and death can occur from severe respiratory depression. The skin becomes clammy, and the overdosing user may experience convulsion, slip into a coma, lips turn blue, body becomes pale or blue and extremely constricted pupils (unless there is brain damage in which the pupils may be dilated).

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