Narcotic analgesics

The term narcotic (/nɑːrˈkɒtɪk/, from ancient Greek ναρκῶ narkō, “to make numb”) originally referred medically to any psychoactive compound with sleep-inducing properties, and euphoric properties as well. In the United States, it has since become associated with opiates and opioids, commonly morphine and heroin, as well as derivatives of many of the compounds found within raw opium latex.

Opioids are substances that, when reaching opioid receptors, have effects similar to those of morphine. Medically they are primarily used for pain relief, including anesthesia. Other medical uses include suppression of diarrhea, replacement therapy for opioid use disorder, reversing opioid overdose, suppressing cough, as well as execution in the United States. Extremely potent opioids such as carfentanil are approved only for veterinary use. Opioids are frequently used non-medically for their euphoric effects or to prevent withdrawal.