Opiate

Opiates are a class of drugs that are derivatives (in the broadest sense of the word) of opium. These include basically two groups of alkaloids: phenanthrenes and papaverines. Opiates in the narrower sense of the word are only the phenanthrenes.

Phenanthrenes:

Naturally occurring in opium:

• Morphine
• Codeine

Semisynthetic derivatives:

• Heroin
• Hydromorphone
• Oxymorphone
• Hydrocodone
• Oxycodone

Fully synthetic:

Phenylheptylamines:

• Methadone
• levomethadyl acetate hydrochloride (LAAM)

Phenylpiperidines:

• Meperidine
• Fentanyl

A high number of opiates are considered to be highly addictive.

See also nootropics