Some sources define the term opioid to exclude opiates, and others use opiate comprehensively instead of opioid, but opioid used inclusively is considered modern, preferred and is in wide use.

Apr 15, 2026 · Opioids are used to provide relief from moderate-to-severe acute or chronic pain. They are also called opiates, opioid analgesics, narcotics, or narcotic analgesics.

Jul 22, 2025 · They have high addiction potential and could lead to opioid use disorder and overdose. It’s important to talk with your provider about the risks and benefits before taking opioids.

Apr 1, 2026 · Learn about the health effects of opioid use. Opioids are a class of natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic drugs. These include both prescription medications used to treat pain and illegal drugs …

Aug 26, 2023 · When used as directed by your doctor, opioid medicines safely help control severe pain, such as pain you may have after surgery. But there are risks when the medicines aren't used correctly.

Apr 27, 2026 · Effective medicines are also available that are used to treat opioid use disorders and addiction, including buprenorphine (a partial opioid agonist/antagonist), methadone (an opioid …

Jun 9, 2025 · CDC is committed to addressing the opioid overdose epidemic and supporting states and communities as they continue work to identify outbreaks, collect data, respond to overdoses, and …

Opioids work in the brain to produce a variety of effects, including pain relief. Opioid drugs include prescription pain medicine and illegal drugs. Some people use opioids because of the euphoria …

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone …

Jul 4, 2026 · opioid, class of drugs derived from substances that occur naturally in the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) and that are widely used for pain relief and sedation.