Basics
These drugs relieve pain by binding to opioid receptors.
Opioids
This medication is considered the "gold standard" for severe pain.
Morphine
This is the most common side effect of opioid use.
Constipation
This medication can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.
Naloxone/Narcan
True or False: Prescription opioids can be addictive even when legally prescribed.
True. Even when taken exactly as prescribed, opioids can cause physical dependence, and some people may develop opioid use disorder. It's important to use them only as directed and for the shortest time needed.
The term for naturally occurring opioids derived from the opium poppy.
Opiates
This commonly prescribed opiate can also suppress coughing.
Codeine
The life-threatening effect of opioid overdose that slows or stops breathing.
Respiratory Depression
This emergency phone number should be called during a suspected overdose in the United States.
911
True or False: Tolerance means someone is addicted.
False. Tolerance means the body becomes used to a medication and may require a higher dose to achieve the same effect.
The flower from which morphine and codeine are obtained.
Opium Poppy
This synthetic opioid is approximately 50–100 times more potent than morphine.
Fentanyl
Taking opioids with these two classes of substances greatly increases overdose risk.
Benzodiazepines and Alcohol
This syndrome occurs when opioids are suddenly stopped after dependence develops.
Opioid Withdrawal
True or False: Naloxone has abuse potential.
False. Naloxone is not an opioid and cannot produce a "high." It only works to reverse the effects of opioids during an overdose and has no abuse potential.
The brain receptors primarily responsible for pain relief and euphoria.
Opioid Receptors
This medication combines buprenorphine with naloxone to treat opioid use disorder.
Suboxone
Long-term opioid use often leads to these two physiologic changes.
Name two medications commonly used as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder.
Buprenorphine and Methadone
True or False: Someone can overdose on fentanyl even if they did not know it was present.
True. Illegally made fentanyl is sometimes found in counterfeit pills or mixed into other drugs without the user's knowledge. Because fentanyl is very potent, even a small amount can increase the risk of an overdose.
What is the difference between an opiate and an opioid?
Opiates are naturally derived from the opium poppy, while opioids include natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic drugs.
This long-acting opioid is used for chronic pain and opioid use disorder treatment.
Methadone
Name three common signs of an opioid overdose.
Examples: slow or stopped breathing, pinpoint pupils, blue lips or fingernails, unresponsiveness, or gurgling/choking sounds.
Name three ways teens can help prevent an opioid overdose.
Never take medication that isn't prescribed to you, avoid pills from friends or social media, tell a trusted adult if someone may be overdosing, call 911 in an emergency, and know where naloxone is available.
True or False: A pill that looks like a real prescription medication is always safe.
False. Counterfeit pills can look identical to legitimate prescription medications but may contain fentanyl or other dangerous drugs.