Opiates are a group of drugs derived from the opium poppy. The term “opiates” is sometimes used to describe related drugs such as morphine, heroin, and codeine. Opioids are the term used for the entire class of drugs including synthetic opiates such as Oxycontin and Roxicodone. A list of common opiates and their generic names:
- Codeine
- Vicodin, Hycodan (hydrocodone)
- MS Contin, Kadian (morphine)
- Oxycontin, Percocet (oxycodone)
- Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
- Duragesic (fentanyl)
Opiates, in addition to treating pain, can cause euphoria and an artificial sense of well-being. According to the National Institutes for Health, nine percent of the population is believed to misuse opiates sometime during their lives.