LiveLOUD Dictionary

Review our dictionary for up-to-date information about common opioids and their effects.

Buprenorphine

FDA-approved medication used to reduce opioid withdrawals and cravings.

How It Works

Buprenorphine is an FDA-approved opioid medication that reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings. This medication has less effect on one’s ability to breathe and does not cause feelings of pleasure like other opioids. Buprenorphine is often combined with naloxone, another OUD medication, to increase safety in case of an overdose. The prescriber has to have special training to recommend this medication.

Side Effects

Nausea or vomiting
Constipation, or difficulty pooping
Muscle aches or cramps
Cravings
Sleeplessness
Discomfort
Irritability
Fever

Those who experience an allergic reaction from buprenorphine, such as hives or swelling in the face, lips, or throat, should seek medical help immediately.

Brand Names

Bunavail, Suboxone, or Zubsolv

How To Get It

The first dose of buprenorphine can be given in a doctor’s office after the patient has not used opioids for approximately 4-6 hours and is experiencing withdrawal symptoms. This is important because buprenorphine can cause someone to go into withdrawal if they aren’t already. Medical monitoring ensures there are no significant side effects. Home induction is also possible, if a person has taken buprenorphine in the past. Dose is adjusted as needed.

Codeine

Opioid medicine commonly used to relieve pain and coughing.

How It Works

Codeine is an opioid used in medical settings to treat mild to severe pain. It is also used, usually in combination with other medications, to reduce coughing. Codeine (alone or in combination with other medications) comes as a tablet, a capsule, and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth.

Side Effects

Headache
Stomach pain
Irritation
Seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist
Fever
Sweating
Confusion
Fast heartbeat
Shivering
Muscle stiffness or twitching
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Drinking alcohol during your treatment with codeine also increases the risk that you will experience these serious side effects.

Brand Names

Codeine is commonly found in many cough or cold medications. If you are taking a codeine combination product, be sure to read information about all the ingredients in the product you are taking. You can also talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Fentanyl

Man-made opioid used to treat severe pain, but can cause overdose when abused.

How It Works

Legal fentanyl is a man-made opioid pain reliever that is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and can only be prescribed by a doctor. Just a tiny amount of illegally made fentanyl is enough to cause death. Many opioids sold on the street are often laced with fentanyl. Fentanyl should only be used when prescribed by a doctor.

Side Effects

Drowsiness or fatigue
Confusion
Trouble concentrating
Tightness in the throat
Stiff or rigid muscles
Constricted pupils
Physical weakness
Itching
Depressed breathing, shallow breaths, or irregular breaths
Slowed heartbeat
Sweating
Flushing
Constipation
Dry mouth
Nausea

Heroin

Illegal and highly dangerous opioid made from morphine.

How It Works

Heroin is a highly addictive and fast acting opioid extracted from certain poppy plants. This drug is processed from morphine and comes in a white or brownish powder, or a black sticky substance. People who use heroin experience a rush of pleasure followed by a deep state of drowsiness. Heroin is often mixed with other drugs or substances, so users are usually unaware how much actual heroin is being used, increasing the likelihood of overdose.

Side Effects

Drowsiness
Small pupils
Nausea
Clammy skin
Dry mouth
Slowed/shallow breathing
Feeling of having heavy legs

Street Names

Big H, Black Tar, Chiva, Hell Dust, Horse, Junk, Smack, Thunder

Hydromorphone

Opioid with effects stronger than morphine that is used to treat pain.

How It Works

Hydromorphone is an opioid used to treat moderate to severe pain. This drug can be injected or taken by mouth as a tablet, capsule, or liquid. Hydromorphone is about two to eight times stronger than morphine and its effects are felt very quickly. Injectable solutions, as well as tablets that have been crushed and dissolved in a solution may be injected as a substitute for heroin.

Side Effects

Rash
Small pupils
Nausea
Vomiting
Trouble breathing
Dizziness
Loss of appetite
Slow or rapid heartbeat
Changes in blood pressure
Difficulty urinating
Constipation

Brand Names

Dilaudid, Exalgo

Street Names

D, Dillies, Dust, Footballs, Juice, and Smack

Levorphanol

Opioid usually prescribed for pain relief, but can become addictive with long-term use.

How It Works

Levorphanol is an opioid used in medical settings to treat severe pain, and it comes in the form of a tablet. When levorphanol is used for a long time, it may cause mental or physical dependence (addiction). That is why it is important to take levorphanol only when prescribed by a doctor and do it exactly as directed by a doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects

Heartburn
Headache
Stomach pain
Dry mouth
Sweating
Vision problems
Difficulty urinating

Brand Names

Levo-Dromoran

Methadone

Medication used to treat opioid addiction.

How It Works

Methadone is a medication used to treat opioid addiction by tricking the brain into thinking it is still getting the desired opioid, usually heroin. When used correctly, people do not get high from using this medication, but they will avoid withdrawal symptoms. While methadone may cause a mild feeling of pleasure, it blocks the other usual effects of opioids. It is important to work with your doctor to use methadone correctly, as it can be harmful if misused.

Side Effects

Lightheadedness or feeling faint
Hallucinations or confusion
Difficulty breathing
Shallow breathing
Rapid heartbeat
Chest pain
Hives or a rash
Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Those who experience an allergic reaction from methadone, such as hives or swelling in the face, lips, or throat, should seek medical help immediately.

Brand Names

Methadose, Dolophine, Methadone Diskets, Methadose Sugar-Free – available in pill, liquid, or water forms.

How To Get It

A medical professional will provide methadone in a specialized opioid treatment program (OTP) after you have been checked out by a doctor.

Morphine

Natural opioid used to treat pain, but can be highly addictive when abused.

How It Works

Morphine is a natural opioid often used in medical settings to treat extreme physical pain. This drug can be taken in a tablet/capsule form, or an injectable liquid form. Morphine users will typically inject the drug as it will enter the bloodstream more quickly and take effect sooner. Morphine should be prescribed by a doctor, and should only be taken as prescribed.

Side Effects

Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Headache
Nervousness
Mood changes
Small pupils
Difficulty urinating or pain when urinating
Stomach pain and cramps

Brand Names

Morphabond, Kadian, Avinza, MS Contin

Naloxone

FDA-approved medication that can quickly reverse opioid overdoses.

How It Works

Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids and can reverse an overdose for a limited period of time. Although naloxone can have some side effects, it does not cause any feelings of pleasure and it does not kill pain. The effects of naloxone begin within 2-5 minutes after it is taken.

Side Effects

Nervousness, restlessness, or irritability
Sneezing
Runny nose
Body and muscle aches
Dizziness
Weakness
Fever or chills
Diarrhea, stomach pain, or nausea

Those who experience an allergic reaction from naloxone, such as hives or swelling in the face, lips, or throat, should seek medical help immediately.

Brand Names

EVZIO, Narcan, and Padagis.

How To Get It

Connecticut offers distribution and training events where people can learn about naloxone and how to use it. Connecticut’s Regional Behavioral Health Action Organizations (RBHAOs) provide many substance use disorder services, including naloxone training and kit distribution events, to communities. There are also many pharmacies in Connecticut that are certified to prescribe naloxone. It is strongly recommended to call ahead of time to check if naloxone is available. If it is not available at that time, most certified pharmacies can get the medication within 24 hours. For information on naloxone training and distribution events, please visit Opioid Services (ct.gov).

Naltrexone

FDA-approved medication that can prevent alcohol or drug relapses.

How It Works

Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication used to treat both alcohol and opioid addiction. When treating opioid use disorder, this medication works by blocking the effects of opioids so that if a person uses an opioid, they do not feel high. Naltrexone is not commonly misused since it causes no effects, but it must be taken by mouth daily or injected monthly to prevent cravings from returning.

Side Effects

Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Headache
Nervousness
Restlessness or tiredness
Joint or muscle pain

Seek a medical professional immediately for any of the following:

Liver injury or disease
Skin reaction from injection
Allergic pneumonia
Allergic reaction (e.g. hives or swelling in the face, lips, or throat)

Xylazine

Animal tranquilizer, or sedative, that can be lethal when used by humans.

How It Works

Xylazine is a non-opioid drug commonly used in veterinary, or animal, medicine to put horses or cattle to sleep during treatment. When taken by humans, xylazine can be life-threatening. Since this drug is mainly used for animal care, it is not yet a controlled substance. However, make no mistake – this drug is not approved for use in humans.

Side Effects

Dry mouth
Sleepiness
High/Low blood pressure
Fast/Slow heart rate
High blood sugar
Slow, shallow breathing
Irregular heartbeat
Dangerous drop in body temperature
Severe open wounds
High risk of wound infection
Coma

In case of an emergency or if you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose, call 911. For more information about treatment and resources in Connecticut, call our 24/7 Access Line at 1-800-563-4086.

Call the Access Line