Opioids and opiates are psychoactive substances that alleviate pain by interacting with opioid receptors. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between opioids vs. opiates. While opiates are of natural origin, opioids can be both natural and partially or fully human-made.
This article will help you better understand the differences between opioids vs. opiates, including their chemical compositions, potency, uses, and more.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are drugs that act on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain. They are typically prescribed for moderate-to-severe pain when non-opioid pain medications aren’t effective or cannot be used. Some opioids can also be used for anesthesia, diarrhea, cough suppression, and opioid addiction treatment.
Opioids relieve pain by binding to the opioid receptors in the CNS, thereby blocking pain signals. Besides that, they can also induce a sense of euphoria and deep relaxation by triggering a sudden rush of dopamine.
Although very effective for pain management, opioids aren’t safe; anyone taking them for a prolonged time risks developing opioid dependence and addiction.
Therefore, most opioids are classified as Schedule II controlled substances. Some, like buprenorphine, are treated as Schedule III controlled substances, while others—such as tramadol—fall under Schedule IV.
Nonetheless, all opioids, without exception, can lead to opioid abuse, dependence, and addiction.
Types of Opioids
There are three main types of opioids:
- Natural, which are derived directly from the opium poppy plant and are also known as opiates
- Semi-synthetic, which are produced by synthesizing natural opioids in laboratories (for example, oxycodone is derived from thebaine)
- Synthetic, such as fentanyl and methadone, which contain no natural opioids but are designed to mimic them
All opioids, regardless of their origin, are classified either as illicit or prescription opioids.
For example, heroin is considered a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it is not approved for medical use and, therefore, is illegal. Meanwhile, some common examples of prescription opioids include tapentadol, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone.
Moreover, opioids can be classified into the following groups based on their impact on the opioid receptors:
- Opioid agonists. These activate opioid receptors fully, producing intense pain-relieving effects, euphoria, and sedation. Examples of opioid agonists include fentanyl, oxycodone, and heroin.
- Partial opioid agonists. These bind to opioid receptors without fully activating them, creating milder effects. Because of this, partial opioid agonists like buprenorphine and tramadol are thought to carry a lower potential for abuse and addiction.
Next, let’s learn more about natural opioids or opiates.
What Are Opiates?
Opiates are opium alkaloids that occur naturally in the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum L.). Also known as natural opioids, they are usually prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe pain that cannot be managed with weaker, non-opioid painkillers. Some also have antitussive, antispasmodic, and other properties.
Rather than occurring in poppy seeds or another part of the plant, opiates are extracted from opium, the latex found in poppy seed capsules. Opium itself is a highly addictive Schedule II controlled drug that comes in liquid, solid, and powder forms.
Aside from medical uses, opiates can also be chemically processed to produce semi-synthetic opioids, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, and oxymorphone.
Despite the natural origins of opiates, they are not any safer than semi-synthetic or synthetic opioids. Like all opioids, they are very potent and effective in treating pain but can lead to opioid abuse, dependence, and addiction, especially when used for an extended time.
Types of Opiates
Though the latex of the opium poppy may contain as many as 80 different alkaloids, the most common types of opiates are:
- Morphine, which is a potent opiate that has been used for pain management for over two centuries
- Thebaine, which is used to produce semi-synthetic opioids
- Codeine, which is used to relieve mild-to-moderate pain and suppress cough, often as a combination drug containing acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or other active ingredients
- Narceine, which has pain-relieving and antitussive effects but is rarely used medically
- Noscapine, also known as narcotine, is used primarily as a cough suppressant and doesn’t have the typical analgesic and euphoric effects associated with opioids.
- Papaverine, which is a vasodilator drug used to treat circulation problems, erectile dysfunction, and other conditions that affect blood flow and cause spasms
Now that you know what opiates are, let’s explore the key differences between opioids and opiates.
Opioids vs. Opiates: Key Differences
The main difference between opioids vs. opiates is that opioids are a broad category of drugs that encompasses all substances that attach to opioid receptors, whether they are natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Meanwhile, opiates are derived naturally from the opium poppy. In other words, opiates are a subset of opioids, but not all opioids can be considered opiates.
Let’s compare opioids vs. opiates in terms of chemical composition, potency, effects, and uses.
#1. Chemical Composition
When it comes to chemical composition, there’s little difference between opioid vs. opiate chemical composition. Both types of drugs are structurally similar, as semi-synthetic and synthetic opioids structurally resemble opiates, such as morphine and codeine.
Most opioids and opiates—including morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and hydromorphone, among others—fall under the phenanthrene chemical class. However, some opioids, such as fentanyl, are considered phenylpiperidine opioids. Others (e.g., methadone) are categorized as diphenylheptane derivatives.
Moreover, both opioids and opiates can come in various forms, including tablets, capsules, oral and injectable solutions, and more.
However, one key difference in opioid vs. opiate chemical composition is that semi-synthetic and synthetic opioids are produced artificially to mimic the structure of opiates. Meanwhile, natural opioids are extracted from the opium poppy rather than being partially or fully human-made.
#2. Potency and Effects
While all opioids, be they natural or not, produce very similar effects, they vary substantially in terms of potency. Comparing opioid vs. opiate potency can be quite complicated, as both categories include a wide range of substances, some of which are far more potent than others.
For example, morphine is ten times more potent than codeine, which is why the latter is only used for mild-to-moderate pain.
While tramadol—a synthetic opioid—is also ten times less potent than morphine, some semi-synthetic and synthetic opioids are significantly more potent. A good example is fentanyl, which is a staggering 100 times more potent than morphine.
The bottom line is that opioid and opiate potency varies from one drug to the next; whether it was derived naturally or not does not necessarily determine its potency. However, some opioids are purposely created to be extremely potent.
#3. Uses
Both opioids and opiates are used for pain relief. Typically, they are only recommended for acute pain management, as using opioids for chronic pain is not safe and rarely effective.
Moreover, some opioids, including natural ones like codeine and semi-synthetic ones like hydrocodone, can be used as cough suppressants. Others, such as morphine and fentanyl, are sometimes used as anesthetics.
Furthermore, some semi-synthetic and synthetic opioids—more specifically, buprenorphine (Subutex®), buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone®), and methadone—are approved for opioid addiction treatment. These opioids are typically used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in combination with counseling and behavioral therapy.
However, opioid replacement drugs aren’t safe; like all opioids, they can lead to opioid abuse, overdose, and death. Not to mention, substituting one opioid for another does not treat the root cause of opioid dependence, leading people to rely on opioid replacement drugs for months, years, and even decades.
Besides this, another major difference in opioid vs. opiate uses is that opiates can be used to manufacture semi-synthetic opioids. Oxycodone, for instance, is derived from thebaine, whereas hydromorphone is a morphine derivative.
Now, let’s compare opiate vs. opioid side effects.
Opioid and Opiate Use Side Effects
There’s virtually no difference between opioid vs. opiate side effects; whether derived naturally or produced artificially, opioids may cause various unwanted effects, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sedation
- Sweating
- Itchy skin
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Lightheadedness
If you experience any side effects after taking opioids or opiates, including those not mentioned above, inform your healthcare provider. In case of allergic reactions (hives, itching, facial swelling, etc.) or other serious adverse effects, call 911 immediately.
Mixing opioids with CNS depressants, seizure medications, and other drugs may increase the risk of severe side effects. If you’re using drugs containing a combination of opioids and acetaminophen, such as Percocet® or Vicodin®, do not take other acetaminophen-containing medications to prevent liver damage and acetaminophen toxicity.
To reduce the risk of adverse effects, consult with your doctor to ensure any medications or supplements you take can be safely taken with opioids.
Furthermore, prolonged use of both opioids and opiates increases the risk of:
- Tolerance
- Opioid dependence
- Opioid use disorder (OUD)
- Fertility problems
- Immunosuppression
- Liver, kidney, and other organ damage
- Hyperalgesia (heightened pain sensitivity)
- Chronic constipation and other gastrointestinal issues
- Opioid overdose
- Death
Opioid/Opiate Addiction & Abuse
Both opioids and opiates can lead to opioid abuse, dependence, and addiction, which is why it is generally not recommended to take them for a prolonged time.
Repeated opioid exposure alters the brain, causing it to cease producing endorphins. At the same time, it stimulates the production of opioid receptors, leading to tolerance. In other words, over time, you’ll need increasingly larger amounts of opioids to recreate the initial effects. This is the first sign of opioid dependence, which is purely physical.
If you find yourself in this position, do not increase your opioid dose without consulting your doctor. Using opioids in any way other than prescribed (in higher doses, more frequently, mixed with other drugs, etc.) constitutes opioid abuse and increases the risk of addiction, overdose, and death.
Another sign of opioid dependence is the presence of opioid withdrawal symptoms. When opioid-dependent individuals attempt to quit or reduce their opioid dosage, they experience various uncomfortable symptoms, such as cravings, sleeplessness, flu-like symptoms, nausea, and so forth.
Unfortunately, many people who take either opioids or opiates for pain relief end up using them even after their pain subsides just to feel normal. Treating opioid dependence is critical; if left untreated, it can develop into an opioid addiction, also known as opioid use disorder (OUD).
Opioid Use Disorder
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a treatable condition characterized by compulsive opioid use.
Simply put, people struggling with OUD have an uncontrollable urge to take opioids. Since it causes you to lose power over your impulses, a tell-tale sign of OUD is the inability to stop using opioids, even when it damages your physical and mental health, relationships, and career.
Other signs of OUD include:
- Hiding or lying about opioid use
- Diminishing work or school performance
- Feeling unable to stop or reduce opioid use
- Struggling to fulfill personal and professional obligations
- Showing less or no interest in activities that used to bring joy
- Spending a significant amount of time on obtaining and using opioids
- Attempting to obtain opioids in any possible way, including stealing, doctor shopping, etc.
- Taking opioids in higher doses, mixing them with other substances, or abusing them in other ways to achieve stronger effects
If this sounds like you, know it’s not your fault. Anyone who takes opioids can fall prey to opioid dependence and addiction, even those who carefully follow the doctor’s instructions.
Comprehensive opioid dependence treatment can help you regain control of your life, regardless of whether you’ve been battling opioid addiction for months or decades.
ANR Treatment for Opioid Addiction and Dependence
With an average hospital stay of just 36 hours, Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is an ultra-modern treatment that can help you safely and effectively recover from opioid dependence within days.
Developed by Dr. Andre Waismann, ANR is the first and only treatment that tackles the root cause of opioid dependence rather than merely managing its symptoms. It works by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system while the patient is sedated.
Since the ANR treatment reverses opioid-induced brain changes, it eradicates opioid dependence together with withdrawal symptoms and the risk of relapse. As such, ANR boasts an exceptionally high success rate; as of today, it has helped nearly 25,000 people worldwide lead opioid-free lives.
Furthermore, ANR is scientifically proven to be safe and effective. The treatment is tailored to each patient’s unique medical history and needs, making it suitable even for those with co-occurring medical conditions.
Developed with patient safety in mind, ANR is carried out in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals by highly experienced board-certified healthcare professionals. Moreover, the treatment doesn’t involve any potentially addictive opioid replacement drugs.
To get started with ANR, contact us today for a free consultation.
Key Takeaways
Ultimately, all opiates are opioids, yet not all opioids are opiates. While only natural opioids are considered opiates, all pain-relieving drugs that act on opioid receptors fall under the opioid umbrella, whether they are natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic. Most importantly, all opioids, regardless of how they’re derived, can lead to opioid abuse, dependence, and addiction.
Lastly, let’s reiterate the key points we covered:
- Opioids are a class of drugs typically prescribed to relieve moderate-to-severe pain, which can be natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic.
- Opiates are alkaloids extracted from opium, a latex derived from poppy seed capsules.
- Both opioids and opiates can lead to abuse, dependence, and addiction, which is why you should always take them precisely as prescribed.
- ANR can help you break the chains of opioid dependence safely, quickly, and effectively by restoring your brain to its pre-addiction state.
