Narcotic/Opioid Analgesics

Question 1

How is pain felt?

Answer 1

• Primary afferent neuron in other parts of the body -> Spinal cord
• Signal moves along the spinothalamic tract to the brain -> Brains react to the pain

Question 2

What are the main drugs in phenanthrenes (opiate drug class)?

Answer 2

• Morphine (strong opioid agonist)
• Codeine (weak opioid agonist)
• Thebaine (precursor for synthesis of other opioid drugs)

Question 3

What are opioid peptides/endorphins in the brain?

Answer 3

• Binds to opioid receptors
• 3 major families derived from precursors

1) Beta-endorphins
2) Enkephalins
3) Dynorphines