Opiate Drugs, Narcotics, and other related Medications and Drugs
What is Demerol?
What is the most important information I should know about Demerol?
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METHADONE -- German scientists synthesized methadone during World War II because of a
shortage of morphine. Although chemically unlike morphine or heroin, methadone produces many of the same
effects.
Introduced into the United States in 1947 as an analgesic (Dolophine), Methadone is primarily used today
for the treatment of narcotic addiction. The effects of methadone are longer-lasting than those of
morphine-based drugs. Methadone's effects can last up to 24 hours, thereby permitting administration
only once a day in heroin detoxification and maintenance programs.
Methadone is almost as effective when administered orally as it is by injection. Tolerance and dependence
may develop, and withdrawal symptoms, though they develop more slowly and are less severe than those of
morphine and heroin, are more prolonged. Ironically, methadone used to control narcotic addiction, is
frequently encountered on the illicit market and has been associated with a number of overdose deaths.
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MORPHINE -- As a a powerful analgesic narcotic
drug found primarily in opium, morphine may also be produced naturally by the human brain, according to recent
research. Like other opiates,
morphine acts directly on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain, and at synapses of the arcuate
nucleus, in particular. Side effects include impairment of mental performance, euphoria, drowsiness,
lethargy, and blurred vision. It also decreases hunger, inhibits the cough reflex, and produces
constipation. When not used as a treatment for pain, morphine is usually highly addictive, and
tolerance and physical and psychological dependence develop quickly.
Morphine is frequently found in various preparations. Parenterally, it is given as subcutaneous,
intravenous, or epidural injections. The military sometimes issues morphine loaded in an autoinjector.
Orally, it comes as an elixir or in tablet form, though this is rare, as codeine is more effective orally.
Morphine is rarely in suppository form.
Morphine is used legally in the following :
It was first isolated in 1803 by the German pharmacist Friedrich Wilhelm Adam Serturner, who named
it 'morphium' after Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams. But it was not until the development of the
hypodermic syringe (1853) that its use spread. It was used for pain relief and, ironically, as a 'cure'
for opium or alcohol addiction. Its extensive use during the American Civil War resulted in over 400,000
sufferers from the 'soldiers disease' (addiction).
Heroin was derived from morphine in 1874. Along with other drugs, its possession without a prescription was
criminalised in the US by the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914.
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DEMEROL -- Demerol is a narcotic
analgesic with many actions similar to morphine. The general therapeutic effects of this drug are analgesia and sedation.
Demerol is used to relieve moderate to severe pain, as a preoperative medication, and the support of anesthesia and for
obstetrical analgesia. Side effects include confusion, convulsions, dizziness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, and slow
heartbeat.
CODEINE -- Codeine is an opiate
agonist - sedative and analgesic narcotic substance found in opium in concentrations between 0.1% and 2%. Codeine was first
isolated from opium by the French chemist Pierre-Jean Robiquet in 1832.
Because of the small concentration found in nature, most codeine found in medical products is synthesised from morphine.
Codeine can be found in many pharmaceutical products all around the world, it's found in many forms including tablets,
capsules, syrups, etc. The sulphate and phosphate salts are used most frequently in medicine. Codeine in most countries
is a scheduled (controlled) substance not available as a sole product. Codeine is usually given orally as an ingredient in
syrups to relieve non-productive cough. It is also combined with non-narcotic analgesics (eg paracetamol, aspirin,
ibuprofen, and others) and is used orally to relieve pain. Generic injection is also available. Some products are available
over the counter, but they usually contain limited amounts of codeine (eg 10mg). Products containing higher quantities of
codeine require a prescription. The usual amount of codeine in over the counter tablets is too small to enjoy the effects
and make it possible to overdose other substances (eg paracetamol, aspirin, etc.) contained in these tablets as well.
HYDROCODONE -- Hydrocodone
(related to codeine) is in a class of drugs called narcotic analgesics. It is a pain reliever. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It relieves pain and decreases inflammation. Hydrocodone and ibuprofen are used together
for the short-term treatment of pain.
LORCET® -- Lorcet®
is the brand name for the combination of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and hydrocodone. Prescribed for moderate to
moderately severe pain, Lorcet® is similar in properties and risk of abuse and addiction as Vicodin® and other
comparable opiates.
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