Which drugs are considered opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs that primarily act on the opioid receptors in the brain and body, which are involved in the perception of pain and feelings of pleasure. Opioids are commonly used in veterinary medicine for their analgesic (pain-relieving) properties, as well as for their sedative and anesthetic effects.

Fentanyl and buprenorphine are both synthetic compounds classified as opioids. Fentanyl is a potent analgesic that is significantly stronger than morphine and is often used for managing severe pain, while buprenorphine is a partial agonist that provides effective pain relief with a lower risk of side effects and dependence compared to full agonists. Both drugs are integral to pain management protocols in various veterinary settings.

The other choices include drugs that do not belong to the opioid class. Aspirin and ibuprofen are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that primarily reduce inflammation and pain through different mechanisms than opioids. Cocaine, while a powerful stimulant with some local anesthetic properties, is not classified as an opioid. Acetaminophen is an analgesic that does not work on opioid receptors and naproxen is also an NSAID. Understanding these distinctions is vital for effective pain management