ABSTRACT
Opioid analgesics are drugs that bind to opioid receptors and share properties of the naturally occurring endogenous opioids. The term narcotic is derived from the Greek word narkotikos, meaning to numb or deaden (narcotic can refer to non-opioids as well as opioids and is not a pharmacologic term, but does appear in legislative, judicial, and government documents). This chapter provides an overview of the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of this diverse group of analgesics (American Academy of Pain Medicine and American Pain Society, 1997; Ashburn & Ready, 2001; Ashburn & Staats, 1999; Ballantyne et al., 1993; Barkin & Barkin, 2001; Barkin, Barkin, & Barkin, 2005; Barkin, Fawcett, & Barkin, 2002; Bartleson, 2002; Carr & Goudas, 1999; Carr et al., 2002; de Leo-Casasola & Lema, 1996; DeRuiter, 2000; Edwards & Breed, 1990; Foley, 2003; Resnik et al., 2001; Zenz, Strumpf, & Tryba, 1992).
