What are 'synthetic opiates'?

Synthetic opioids refer to a category of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) that are either known to be opiates or have opiate-like effects. These are not naturally occurring substances, although they have effects related to the naturally occurring drugs from several species of the opium poppy plant. read more

This synthetic opiates list shows all of the drugs that derive in some way from the opium poppy plant. Most drugs on this list are painkillers. This synthetic opiates list shows all of the drugs that derive in some way from the opium poppy plant. read more

“They were searching for a novel painkilling drug, the holy grail of analgesics that didn’t have the addictive or respiratory depression properties of opiates or heroin,” said Logan, who recently spoke about synthetic opioids at an international conference in Budapest. read more

Synthetic opiates (often called opioids to differentiate them from the natural substances) are man-made and do not occur in nature. Fentanyl, one of the most commonly used synthetic opioids, can treat severe pain because it was created to be extremely potent and powerful. read more