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LiveLOUD Dictionary

Review our dictionary for up-to-date information about common opioids and their potential side 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. It is safe to use on people of all ages, including babies and children. 

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 services, including naloxone training and kit distribution events, to communities. NORA Saves is another free resource from the CT Department of Public Health offering information on how to use naloxone and where you can get it in your community. 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)

Brand Names

Vivitrol (injectable), ReVia, and Depade.

How To Get It

Naltrexone can be prescribed by any medical professional licensed to prescribe medications. Individuals should stop using opioids for 4-7 days before starting naltrexone depending on a doctor’s recommendation. The injectable form is given once a month and the pill is taken once a day.

Opioids

Opioids are a class of drugs that are made from, or copy, natural substances found in the opium poppy plant. Opioid drugs include prescription pain medicine and illegal drugs. Proper medical use of opioids can help with pain relief, but sometimes opioids are abused for the high feeling they produce.

Other Names

Opiates, painkillers, narcotics

Oxycodone

Highly addictive opioid used to treat severe pain.

How It Works

Oxycodone is an opioid that is derived from thebaine, a part of the poppy plant. This drug is often used to treat severe pain and makes the user feel relaxed. Oxycodone comes in the form of a tablet to be taken by mouth, but when abused it is often crushed and sniffed, or dissolved in water and injected. Others heat a tablet that has been placed on a piece of foil then inhale the vapors.

Side Effects

  • Small pupils
  • Confusion
  • Drowsiness
  • Trouble breathing
  • Cold or clammy skin 
  • Liver damage
  • Fainting
  • Coma

Brand Names

OxyContin

Street Names

Hillbilly Heroin, Kicker, OC, Ox, Roxy, Perc, and Oxy

Pethidine

Man-made opioid usually prescribed for pain relief.

How It Works

Pethidine, also known as meperidine, is an opioid used in medical settings to treat pain. This drug comes as a tablet and a liquid syrup to take by mouth. Pethidine should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor and should be taken exactly as directed by a doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects

  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Headache
  • Mood changes
  • Nausea
  • Dry mouth
  • Flushed or blushing skin
  • Sweating
  • Changes in vision
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach pain or cramps
  • Constipation
  • Difficulty urinating

Brand Names

Demerol

Suboxone

FDA-approved medication used to treat opioid addiction. 

How It Works

Suboxone is made of a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. The buprenorphine works to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Should suboxone be snorted or injected, the naloxone becomes active and produces intense flu-like symptoms.

Suboxone is given as a dissolvable film to be placed either under the tongue or in the cheek when used.

Side Effects

  • Headache 
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting 
  • Constipation
  • Pain
  • Sweating 
  • Difficulty sleeping

Those who have a known allergy to buprenorphine or naloxone should not take suboxone. Those who experience an allergic reaction from suboxone, such as hives or swelling in the face, lips, or throat, should seek medical help immediately.

How To Get It

Suboxone must be prescribed by a medical professional.

Thebaine

Part of the opium poppy plant that can be extracted and used in opioid medications.

How It Works

Thebaine is an alkaloid, a part of a natural plant that can affect the normal way humans or animals behave. Thebaine is part of the latex in the opium poppy plant and it is produced in the capsule as well as in the stems and leaves. If the poppy plant has not been processed or “washed” to remove alkaloids like thebaine, its poppy seeds may have higher amounts on their coats. These seeds are often abused for their opioid effects. Thebaine is also often extracted to be used in opioid medications, such as naloxone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine.

Side Effects

  • Feeling of pleasure
  • Slowed/shallow breathing
  • Constipation
  • Addiction

Tramadol

Strong opioid typically prescribed as a pain medication.

How It Works

Tramadol is an opioid used in medical settings to treat moderate to severe pain in adults and children 12 years of age or older. Tramadol comes as a tablet, a liquid solution, or capsule to take by mouth. This drug works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. Tramadol should only be prescribed by a doctor and taken exactly as directed. Taking more tramadol than prescribed by your doctor or in a way that is not recommended may cause serious side effects or death.

Side Effects

  • Sleepiness
  • Headache
  • Nervousness
  • Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
  • Changes in mood
  • Heartburn or indigestion
  • Dry mouth

Brand Names

Conzip, Qdolo, Ryzolt, Ultram

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