Opioid receptor antagonist

Definition

An opioid receptor antagonist is a type of drug that binds to opioid receptors but does not activate them, effectively blocking the effects of opioid agonists like morphine and heroin. They are used in the treatment of opioid use disorder and for reversing opioid overdoses.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Opioid receptor antagonists can rapidly reverse life-threatening respiratory depression caused by opioid overdose.
2. Naloxone is one of the most commonly used opioid receptor antagonists for emergency overdose treatment.
3. These drugs have a high affinity for mu-opioid receptors, which are primarily responsible for the effects of opioids.
4. Opioid receptor antagonists can precipitate withdrawal symptoms in individuals dependent on opioids.
5. They are also used as maintenance therapy in combination with other medications for treating opioid dependence.

Review Questions

• What is the primary function of an opioid receptor antagonist?
• Which common drug is used as an opioid receptor antagonist in cases of overdose?
• How do opioid receptor antagonists affect individuals who are physically dependent on opioids?

Related terms

Agonist: A substance that activates a receptor to produce a biological response.

Partial Agonist: A drug that binds to and partially activates a receptor but elicits a weaker response compared to a full agonist.

Mu-Opioid Receptor: A type of opioid receptor primarily involved in pain relief, euphoria, and respiratory depression.