Raw opium

Raw opium: is the air dried latex obtained by the incisions from the unripe capsules of Papaver somniferum (Papaveraceae). Latex is Opium is the source of many alkaloids, including morphine, thebaine, codeine, papaverine, and noscapine. Morphine is the predominant one.

Overview
Opiates are constituents or derivatives of constituents found in opium. Opiates are narcotic analgesic. Narcotic refers to the pain-relieving and sleep-inducing properties of these highlyaddictive alkaloids, including morphine, codeine and thebaine. Morphine is named after Morpheus the god of sleep, while (somniferum) means "to sleep" in Latin.

 The major biologically active alkaloids found in opium are morphine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine and noscapine. Papaverine and noscapine, have little to no effect on the human central nervous system, and are not usually considered to be narcotic. They have have a different mechanism of action. papaverine is smooth-muscle relaxant and noscapine is antitussive.

Classification
Natural opiates:are alkaloids contained in the latex of opium as morphine, codeine, and thebaine. Semi-synthetic opioids: created from the natural opiates, such as heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are derived from morphine, codeine, and thebaine. (heroin is diacetylmorphine)

 Fully synthetic opioids: such as pethidine, methadone, tramadol. Endogenous opioid peptides, produced naturally in the body, such as endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphins, and endomorphins.

Opium alkaloids Classification

Phenanthrene group Benzylisoquinoline group, Phenylethylamine group. Bis-isoquinoline group. Opium alkaloids occur naturally combined with specific acid (meconic acid). Meconic acid test.

Opium alkaloids (cont.)

Phenanthrene gp.

Benzylisoquinoline gp.

 Phenylethylamine gp.

Pharmacology and uses

Opiates and Opioids bind to specific opioid receptors in the central nervous system and other tissues. They have long been used to treat acute pain (such as post-operative pain). They have also been found to be valuable in palliative care (cancer, and degenerative conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis ) In palliative or painkilling care the goal is to prevent and relieve suffering and to improve quality of life for people with serious and complex illness.

Adverse side effects

Common adverse reactions in patients taking opiates and opioids for pain relief include: nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, itching, dry mouth, miosis, and constipation. These effects are overcome by medication during the course of treatment.

Opiate poisoning
Opiate poisoning can range from discomfort like constipation to death from respiratory depression. Alcohol and other sedatives enhance the effect of opiates, especially respiratory depression