“Like many of you, I use the words opioids and opiates interchangeably.I incorrectly thought one was singular and the other plural. It pays to look up definitions before using a word!
Merriam Webster defines opiate as “a drug containing or derived from opium and tending to induce sleep and alleviate pain.” The first known use of the word “opiate” was in the 15th century. Natural forms of opiates include morphine, codeine, heroin and opium.
Merriam Webster defines opioid as “possessing some properties characteristic of opiate narcotics but not derived from opium.” Interestingly, the first known use of the word “opioid” was not until the 1950’s. Two of the most widely prescribed pain medications, oxycodone and hydrocodone, are opioids.”
Read more at: https://www.painnewsnetwork.org/stories/2017/12/18/whats-the-difference-between-opiates-and-opioids
Source: PainNewsNewtork.org – December 18, 2017