Prescription opioids
Fentanyl, codeine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, biodone, physeptone, hydromorphone, jurnista, buprenorphine
The information on this page has been sourced from NSW Health.
What are opioids?
Opioids are natural drugs derived from the opium poppy or synthetic drugs, and have a depressant or sedating effect, causing the brain and central nervous system to slow down.
Opioids have a strong pain-killing effect, therefore pharmaceutical opioids may be prescribed for medical conditions, particularly for acute or cancer pain management. Pharmaceutical opioids include morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, hydromorphone, methadone, buprenorphine, tapentadol, tramadol and codeine.
Opioids can come in the form of illicit or illegal drugs such as heroin or diverted pharmaceutical opioids used for non-medical purposes.
Useful links
- Fentanyl: the facts - NSW Health
- Prescription opioids - NSW Health
- Heroin: the facts - NSW Health
- Opioids - Alcohol and Drug Foundation