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An opioid is a chemical substance that has a morphine-like action in the body. The main use is for pain relief.
These agents work by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. The receptors in these two organ systems mediate both the beneficial effects, and the undesirable side effects. There are a number of broad classes of narcotics:
• Natural opioids, alkaloids contained in the resin of the opium poppy including morphine, codeine, thebaine, and oripavine;
• Semi-synthetic opioids, created from the natural opioids, such as hydromorphone, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and heroin;
• Fully synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, pethidine, methadone, and propoxyphene;
• Endogenous opioid peptides, produced naturally in the body, such as endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphins, and endomorphins.
"If you have a drug allergy, your immune system mistakes a medication for a disease-causing agent.
A drug allergy is a faulty immune system reaction to a drug. It's typically the same process that occurs when people have allergic reactions to pollen, insect venom, animal dander or peanuts. Like many other allergies, a drug allergy can cause a range of responses from a mild rash to life-threatening effects on many body systems…
If you have a drug allergy, your immune system developed an extreme sensitivity to the drug during the course of treatment the first time you took it. Your body may also have produced allergy-type antibodies to the drug. Normally, your body produces antibodies to fight disease-causing agents such as a virus…
Penicillin and other antibiotics are among the drugs more likely to cause an allergic reaction. In addition, drugs administered by injection or applied as an ointment on the skin are more likely to cause an allergic reaction than are those taken orally.
Signs and symptoms of drug allergies
Many allergic reactions to drugs occur within a few days or as much as three weeks after drug treatment is started. If you're allergic to a drug, you may experience:
• Raised, red, itchy patches on the skin (hives, or urticaria)
• Itching sensation (pruritus)
• Swollen, red, itchy rash (dermatitis)
• Swelling or welts deep in the skin (angioedema), especially near your eyes and lips
• Mild or moderate wheezing
Anaphylaxis: Dangerous drug allergy symptoms
An uncommon effect of drug allergy is a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. This reaction usually occurs minutes after exposure to the drug but may occur within a few hours. Signs and symptoms include:
• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Hives, usually affecting several parts of the body
• Swelling in the face
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
• Rapid or weak pulse
• Rapid drop in blood pressure
• Sensation of rapid, fluttering or pounding heartbeats (palpitations)
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
Evaluating allergic reactions
If you have any signs or symptoms that may be related to a recent drug treatment, consult your doctor. An allergic reaction to a drug can be difficult to diagnose because the reaction doesn't always occur immediately after beginning a treatment and because any number of medical conditions could cause allergy-like symptoms.
Anaphylaxis requires immediate emergency care. An injection of adrenaline (epinephrine) opens airways and helps increase blood pressure. Additional treatments of intravenous antihistamines and cortisone may be required to reduce inflammation of air passages and improve breathing." Source: Mayoclinic.com
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