Narcotic

Narcotic is a term with varying meanings across pharmacology and law. In pharmacology, it historically referred to any drug that dulls the senses or induces sleep, including opioids and related compounds. In legal and policy contexts, narcotics are often equated with controlled substances that have analgesic or sedative properties and a high potential for dependence.

Medical use and mechanism: Many narcotics act on the mu-opioid receptor to produce analgesia, sedation, and cough suppression. Common examples include morphine, codeine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and methadone. They are used to treat moderate to severe pain and in anesthesia. Side effects can include respiratory depression, constipation, nausea, miosis, and risk of dependence and withdrawal upon discontinuation.

Classification: The terms opiate and opioid refer to different but related groups. Opiates are natural substances derived from opium (morphine, codeine); opioids include natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic compounds (heroin, fentanyl, methadone). The label narcotic is not a precise pharmacological category and its use varies by jurisdiction.

Legal status and public health: Narcotics are generally tightly regulated. Depending on the country, they may be scheduled and require prescriptions or be illegal to possess. Misuse can lead to overdose and death; naloxone is used to reverse overdoses in many settings. Treatments for dependence include methadone, buprenorphine, and other agonist therapies, as well as behavioral support.