Acute Pain.Com

They are in general considered the most powerful analgesics because they act directly on the central nervous system by virtually substituting the human endorphin production.

Their use however is limited by some side effects.

First of all they paralyze the human respiration center. Overdosing can mean death, but individual tolerances for these drugs are extremely variable and therefore the effects of opiates and opiods not well predictable.

Second they are addictive.

Third they invariably induce heavy constipation.

Fourth they frequently cause nausea and vomiting.

Besides opiates and opioids for unknown reasons are not very effective in suppressing several types of pain, i.e. spasms or toothaches.

So these are quite a couple of good reasons why the prescription of opiates and opiods in pain management today is restricted to rather few and rather specific cases.

They are however still the drugs of choice for pain management in advanced cancer cases, palliative medicine and acute trauma.