Opioids: Difference between revisions

(3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)

Line 1:

'''Opioids''', broadly defined, are molecules that bind to the ligand-binding pocket of opioid receptors. These include morphine, endorphins, fentanyl and many other legal or illegal drugs. Sometimes, opioids are distinguished from opiates, drugs that are derived from opium by purification and sometimes modification. Opioids acting as agonists when bound to opioid receptors may be used to treat pain, but have other effects and side-effects. Opioids such as naloxone acting as antagonists, on the other hand, prevent agonists from binding and turn off the receptor. All opioid receptor agonists are addictive, and can lead to death by overdosing.

'''Opioids''', broadly defined, are molecules that bind to the ligand-binding pocket of [[Opioid receptor|opioid receptors]]. These include morphine, endorphins, fentanyl and many other [[Pharmaceutical drugs|legal]] or illegal drugs. Sometimes, opioids are distinguished from opiates, drugs that are derived from opium by purification and sometimes modification. Opioids acting as agonists when bound to opioid receptors may be used to [[Treatments:Opioid drugs|treat pain]], but have other effects and side-effects. Opioids such as naloxone acting as antagonists, on the other hand, prevent agonists from binding and turn off the receptor. All opioid receptor agonists are addictive, and can lead to death by overdosing.

== Chemistry ==

Some opioids are alkaloids and some are peptides. The common structural features are an aromatic ring and a nitrogen atom that is charged at neutral pH. Alkaloids (such as morphine) contain multiple fused rings, leading to a T-shaped structure. Peptides (such as enkephalin) carry a positively charged nitrogen atom at their amino terminus, and an aromatic ring as one of the amino acid side chains.

Some opioids are alkaloids and some are peptides. The [[Journal:PMC:1|common structural features]] are an aromatic ring and a nitrogen atom that is charged at neutral pH. Alkaloids (such as morphine) contain multiple fused rings, leading to a T-shaped structure.[[Image:Morphine.png|thumb|The opiate morphine is a T-shaped molecule containing an aromatic ring (top) and a nitrogen (bottom left in blue, shown in the deprotonated uncharged state)]] Peptides (such as enkephalin) carry a positively charged nitrogen atom at their amino terminus, and an aromatic ring as one of the amino acid side chains.

== Pharmacology ==

Navigation menu

Page actions

Page actions

Personal tools

Navigation

Search

Tools

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Opioids''', broadly defined, are molecules that bind to the ligand-binding pocket of opioid receptors. These include morphine, endorphins, fentanyl and many other legal or illegal drugs. Sometimes, opioids are distinguished from opiates, drugs that are derived from opium by purification and sometimes modification. Opioids acting as agonists when bound to opioid receptors may be used to treat pain, but have other effects and side-effects. Opioids such as naloxone acting as antagonists, on the other hand, prevent agonists from binding and turn off the receptor. All opioid receptor agonists are addictive, and can lead to death by overdosing.
+'''Opioids''', broadly defined, are molecules that bind to the ligand-binding pocket of [[Opioid receptor|opioid receptors]]. These include morphine, endorphins, fentanyl and many other [[Pharmaceutical drugs|legal]] or illegal drugs. Sometimes, opioids are distinguished from opiates, drugs that are derived from opium by purification and sometimes modification. Opioids acting as agonists when bound to opioid receptors may be used to [[Treatments:Opioid drugs|treat pain]], but have other effects and side-effects. Opioids such as naloxone acting as antagonists, on the other hand, prevent agonists from binding and turn off the receptor. All opioid receptor agonists are addictive, and can lead to death by overdosing.
 == Chemistry ==
-Some opioids are alkaloids and some are peptides. The common structural features are an aromatic ring and a nitrogen atom that is charged at neutral pH. Alkaloids (such as morphine) contain multiple fused rings, leading to a T-shaped structure. Peptides (such as enkephalin) carry a positively charged nitrogen atom at their amino terminus, and an aromatic ring as one of the amino acid side chains.
+Some opioids are alkaloids and some are peptides. The [[Journal:PMC:1|common structural features]] are an aromatic ring and a nitrogen atom that is charged at neutral pH. Alkaloids (such as morphine) contain multiple fused rings, leading to a T-shaped structure.[[Image:Morphine.png|thumb|The opiate morphine is a T-shaped molecule containing an aromatic ring (top) and a nitrogen (bottom left in blue, shown in the deprotonated uncharged state)]] Peptides (such as enkephalin) carry a positively charged nitrogen atom at their amino terminus, and an aromatic ring as one of the amino acid side chains.
 == Pharmacology ==