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Opiate

An opiate is a drug (narcotic) that can suppress the perception of pain and calm a person's emotional response to pain by reducing the effect of pain signals sent by the nervous system. Opiates (also called opioids) produce a feeling of well-being (euphoria) and cause mood changes, cloudy thinking, and deep sleep.

Side effects of opiates may include constipation and nausea. Frequent use of opiates may make a person dependent on them.

Commonly prescribed legal opiates include codeine and morphine. Opium is an example of an illegal opiate.

Author Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics
Last Updated February 6, 2008

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: February 06, 2008
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