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Abstract

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Opioids can be classified according to their mode of synthesis into alkaloids, semi-synthetic and synthetic compounds.

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There are three classical receptors (DOP, KOP and MOP). The novel NOP receptor is considered to be a non-opioid branch of the opioid receptor family.

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Opioids can either act as agonists, antagonists or partial agonists at these receptors.

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Opioid agonists bind to G-protein coupled receptors to cause cellular hyperpolarisation.

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MOP receptor agonists act in the central and peripheral nervous system to elicit analgesia.

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Basic Opioid Pharmacology

Abstract

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References