Opioids Flashcards
What type of drug are opioids? Uppers or downers?
Downers
What is the sub classification of opioids?
- Opiates
2. Synthetic opioids
What is sugars?
A mixture of cocaine and heroin in the South of Durban
What is unga?
A drug that is now being sold in the Western Cape
What is an opioid?
It is a dried juice of the plant poppy papaversomniferum
Opioids have the same effect on the body as opium
Where do the opioids act and as what?
They act as agonists on the mu receptors found in the brain, spinal cord and gut
They naturally reliev3 emotional pain and distress
What are the different receptors associated with opioids?
Mu, delta and kappa receptors
What is heroin?
- Heroin is the most used illegal opioid in SA
- in the western cape it is known as unga and is found as a white or brownish powder
- it is smoked on tinfoil (chasing the dragon) or injected intravenously (mainlining) or injecting it intramuscularly by heating it in a teaspoon
What does opioid intoxication typically look like?
- The patient becomes euphoric and relief of tension
They become apathetic, drowsy and slow
Pupils become constructed and attention and concentration becomes impaired
- slurred speech, memory impairment and suppression of the cough reflex occurs
- in large doses suppression of respiration can occur and death
What occurs when a patient withdraws from opioids?
It is highly unpleasant:
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Insomnia
- Anxiety, irritability
- Pain like arthralgia or myalgia
Other symptoms:
Sweating, flushing, fever, chills, tachycardia, hypertension, dilated pupils