Opioids

Question 1

What type of drug are opioids? Uppers or downers?

Answer 1

Downers

Question 2

What is the sub classification of opioids?

Answer 2

1. Opiates

2. Synthetic opioids

Question 3

What is sugars?

Answer 3

A mixture of cocaine and heroin in the South of Durban

Question 4

What is unga?

Answer 4

A drug that is now being sold in the Western Cape

Question 5

What is an opioid?

Answer 5

It is a dried juice of the plant poppy papaversomniferum

Opioids have the same effect on the body as opium

Question 6

Where do the opioids act and as what?

Answer 6

They act as agonists on the mu receptors found in the brain, spinal cord and gut
They naturally reliev3 emotional pain and distress

Question 7

What are the different receptors associated with opioids?

Answer 7

Mu, delta and kappa receptors

Question 8

What is heroin?

Answer 8

• Heroin is the most used illegal opioid in SA
• in the western cape it is known as unga and is found as a white or brownish powder
• it is smoked on tinfoil (chasing the dragon) or injected intravenously (mainlining) or injecting it intramuscularly by heating it in a teaspoon

Question 9

What does opioid intoxication typically look like?

Answer 9

1. The patient becomes euphoric and relief of tension
   They become apathetic, drowsy and slow
   Pupils become constructed and attention and concentration becomes impaired
   - slurred speech, memory impairment and suppression of the cough reflex occurs
   - in large doses suppression of respiration can occur and death

Question 10

What occurs when a patient withdraws from opioids?

Answer 10

It is highly unpleasant:

1. Gastrointestinal discomfort
2. Insomnia
3. Anxiety, irritability
4. Pain like arthralgia or myalgia

Other symptoms:
Sweating, flushing, fever, chills, tachycardia, hypertension, dilated pupils