What are synthetic opioids? 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Some laboratories make prescription synthetic opioids for medical use, but others make illegal versions for recreational use. Synthetic opioids affect the brain in the same way as natural opioids, meaning that they produce the same effects. Both types can cause dependence and addiction, and overdosing on either may be fatal. This article describes what synthetic opioids are and lists other drugs within the opioid family. It also examines the risks of the drugs and lists resources that offer help for people with opioid use disorder. What are they Share on PinterestTashatuvango/Getty ImagesSynthetic opioids are substances that manufacturers create in a laboratory. They have the same effects on the body as opioids that naturally occur in the seed pods of certain opium poppy plants. Some people take prescription synthetic opioids for medical reasons, and some take illegal synthetic opioids recreationally. Below are some additional details about the different types of synthetic opioids. Synthetic opioids for medical use The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the following synthetic opioids for medical use:Fentanyl (Sublimaze): This drug treats severe pain, such as the pain associated with advanced cancer. Its potency is 50–100 times that of morphine.Tramadol (Ultram): This drug treats moderate to moderately severe pain.Methadone (Dolophine): This drug treats pain, but doctors may also use it to treat opioid use disorder. Synthetic opioids for illegal recreational use Some laboratories make synthetic opioids for illegal recreational drug use. Some of these drugs are in powder form, whereas others are in the form of tablets that mimic the appearance of pharmaceutical opioids. The laboratories that make these synthetic opioids sometimes combine these drugs with other drugs, such as heroin. Many synthetic opioids have higher potencies than heroin or morphine. Some synthetic opioids have a chemical structure similar to that of fentanyl. Examples of illegal, recreational fentanyl include:acetyl fentanylfuranyl fentanylbutyryl fentanylbeta-hydroxythiofentanyl Semisynthetic opioids Semisynthetic opioids are naturally derived opioids that have undergone some degree of chemical processing. Drug manufacturers create these drugs in laboratories. Doctors may prescribe them to alleviate moderate to severe pain following an injury or a surgical procedure. Examples of semisynthetic opioids include:hydrocodone, which Vicodin contains alongside acetaminophenoxycodone (OxyContin)oxymorphone (Opana)hydromorphone (Dilaudid) As with synthetic opioids, certain semisynthetic opioids have illegal recreational uses. An example is heroin, which is a drug that manufacturers make from morphine. Heroin is a highly addictive opioid. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2019, heroin was responsible for more than 28% of opioid overdose deaths in the United States. What other drugs are part of the opioid family As well as synthetic and semisynthetic opioids, there are natural opioids called opiates. Most types have similar effects, including pain relief and euphoria, and they typically pose the same risks. Natural opioids include:Morphine: Doctors prescribe this drug for moderate to severe pain, such as postsurgical pain or pain related to cancer. Codeine: As this drug is weaker than morphine, doctors may prescribe it for moderate pain or cough relief. It is available as a single drug or as part of a combination drug, such as co-codamol, which is a mixture of codeine and acetaminophen.Thebaine: Manufacturers use this opiate to make semisynthetic opioids, synthetic opioids, and some other types of drugs. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), it is also a drug of misuse. Risks of synthetic opioids As with other types of opioids, synthetic opioid use is associated with certain risks, including:Tolerance: When a person develops tolerance, they need to take a higher dosage of the drug to achieve a similar effect.Dependence: Dependence means that a person continues to use a drug despite the significant issues that arise as a consequence.Addiction: Addiction refers to a powerful, compulsive urge to continue to use a drug. The side effects of synthetic opioids are similar to those of natural and semisynthetic opioids. They include:drowsinesssedationconstriction of the pupilsconfusionnausea and vomitingurinary retentionslow, shallow breathing The possible overdose effects include:cold, clammy skina bluish tinge to the skinextreme constriction of the pupils, making them appear as pinpointscomabreathing failure, which can lead to death A person should not take synthetic opioids in amounts that exceed the recommended dosage, as doing so can cause coma and even death. The CDC reports that in 2019, there were more than 36,000 deaths relating to the use of synthetic opioids other than methadone. This number represents almost 73% of all opioid-related deaths that occurred that year. Seeking help for opioid use disorder According to the CDC, millions of people in the U.S. have opioid use disorder. This is the medical term for a problematic pattern of opioid use that causes severe impairment or distress. The appropriate treatment of opioid use disorder can prevent overdose and death, and a person can make a full recovery. The exact treatment will vary on a case-by-case basis, but it will likely involve medications in combination with some form of behavioral therapy. The CDC provides the following resources for those seeking help for a substance use disorder:Health Center Locator: The Health Resources and Services Administration provides this search tool, which helps a person find a health center in a certain area.Mental Health and Substance Use Insurance Help: The Department of Health & Human Services provides information and resources pertaining to insurance, along with other financial aid options for people with a low income.Opioid Treatment Program Directory: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers this search tool for locating programs in a particular state.Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator: People can use this search tool from the SAMHSA to find treatment facilities in a certain area. Summary Synthetic opioids are human-made chemicals that do not derive from natural sources, unlike opiates, which come from the opium poppy plant. Manufacturers may sometimes use some degree of chemical processing on opiates to create semisynthetic opioids. Some laboratories make prescription synthetic opioids for medical use, and some make these drugs for illegal recreational use. As with all opioids, the synthetic variety can lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction. An overdose can have severe and potentially life threatening adverse effects, such as coma. In some cases, it can be fatal. Due to the dangers associated with opioids, experts encourage individuals to seek help for opioid use disorder. Anyone looking for further advice and information should speak with a doctor. Last medically reviewed on May 30, 2022Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal DrugsPain / AnestheticsPharmacy / PharmacistDrugs 9 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Codeine information. (2018). https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/codeine-informationDrug overdose. (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/Drugs of abuse: A DEA resource guide, 2017 edition. (2017). https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/drug_of_abuse.pdfOpioid addiction. (2017). https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/opioid-addiction/Opioid use disorder: What is opioid addiction? (2021). https://pcssnow.org/resource/opioid-use-disorder-opioid-addiction/Opioids. (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/index.htmlOpioids. (n.d.). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31643200/Synthetic opioids [Fact sheet]. (2020). https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Synthetic%20Opioids-2020.pdfWester, N., et al. (2019). Simultaneous detection of morphine and codeine in the presence of ascorbic acid and uric acid and in human plasma at nafion single-walled carbon nanotube thin-film electrode.https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.9b02147FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.D. — By Mary West on May 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat to know about opiate withdrawalMedically reviewed by Alyssa Peckham, PharmD, BCPP When coming off prescription or recreational opiate or opioid drugs, people may experience withdrawal symptoms. 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