Opiate, Opioid analgesics and antagonists

Abstract

Opiate and opioid analgesics are important drugs in the treatment of pain. They are associated with addiction and respiratory depression, side effects which limit their clinical usefulness. This paper describes the main classes of agonists and antagonists to opioid receptors (D, G, N). The main drugs will be shown emphasizing the structure-activity relationship, as well as biotransformation reactions.