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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Klavot on June 10, 2006, at 6:58:41
What is the difference between an opioid and an opiate?
Posted by jedi on June 10, 2006, at 8:24:56
In reply to Opioid / opiate, posted by Klavot on June 10, 2006, at 6:58:41
> What is the difference between an opioid and an opiate?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An opioid is any agent that binds to opioid receptors, found principally in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. There are four broad classes of opioids: endogenous opioid peptides, produced in the body; opium alkaloids, such as morphine (the prototypical opioid) and codeine; semi-synthetic opioids such as heroin and oxycodone; and fully synthetic opioids such as pethidine and methadone that have structures unrelated to the opium alkaloids.
Although the term opiate is often used as a synonym for opioid, it is more properly limited to the natural opium alkaloids and the semi-synthetics derived from them.
Posted by pseudoname on June 10, 2006, at 9:14:23
In reply to Re: Opioid / opiate » Klavot, posted by jedi on June 10, 2006, at 8:24:56
Another way of putting it:
You'll *always* be correct to say "opioid". You'll often be technically incorrect to say "opiate".
Opiates are a subset of opioids.
This is the end of the thread.
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