How heroin works in the body

Question 1

Heroin enters the bloodstream in how long?

The heart then pumps the blood throughout the body, carrying the drug with it

Answer 1

seconds

Question 2

In the brain, heroin undergoes several chemical reactions and changes back to morphine

Answer 2

Then, it binds rapidly to the opioid receptors to cause euphoria, pain relief, and diminished anxiety.

Question 3

Heroin undergoes extensive first pass metabolism in the liver

Answer 3

before entering the body’s circulation

Question 4

Heroin has extremely rapid half life of 2-6 minutes

Answer 4

and is ultimately mainly through the urinary tract. 7% is excreted as unchanged morphine 50-60% as glucuronides

Question 5

What are the routes of administration and onset of heroin?

Answer 5

Intravenous Injection- 7seconds

Intramuscular Injection- 5-8 minutes

Smoking & Sniffing 10-15 minutes

Question 6

What is the timeline of Opiate withdrawal?

Answer 6

Symptoms begin, 6-12hours Short-acting opiates
30 hours Long acting opiates

72 hours,

nauseas
vomiting
stomach cramps
diarrhoea
goosebumps
depression
drug cravings