Okuzeka
Medicine vocabulary · Prescriptions and Medication

Opioid

Meaning in medicine, with examples

/ˈoʊpiɔɪd/nounCommon term

In medicine, opioid means: A strong painkiller that acts on the same receptors in the body as morphine, such as codeine, morphine or oxycodone.

In Turkish: opioid, narkotik ağrı kesici

How it is used

Doctors talk about weak and strong opioids, their side effects (constipation, nausea, drowsiness, slowed breathing), dependence and the 'opioid crisis'. Many are controlled drugs with special prescribing rules.

Example sentences

  1. She needed opioids for the first few days after surgery.

  2. Opioid toxicity should be considered in any drowsy patient with pinpoint pupils.

Common collocations

  • strong opioid
  • weak opioid
  • opioid analgesia
  • opioid toxicity
  • opioid dependence
  • analgesicA medicine that relieves pain, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or morphine; patients usually call it a painkiller.
  • constipationHaving difficulty emptying the bowels, or passing hard stools less often than is normal for that person.
  • side effectAn effect of a medicine or treatment that is not the main one intended, and is often unwanted, such as drowsiness or an upset stomach.
  • palliative careCare that aims to relieve pain and other symptoms and improve quality of life for people with a serious illness that cannot be cured.
  • painAn unpleasant feeling in part of the body that tells you something is hurt or not working properly; it is the most common reason people see a doctor.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Prescriptions and Medication

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.