opioids
n. plural-onlyn. strong medicines used to reduce serious pain. They work by changing how the brain and body feel pain, but they can be very addictive.
n. a class of drugs that derive from, or mimic the effects of, opium by binding to specific receptors in the central nervous system. Often used in medical contexts to describe both natural opiates and synthetic narcotics.
The doctor prescribed opioids to help with the patient's severe back pain.
Public health officials are working to reduce the number of deaths caused by the misuse of prescription opioids.
While highly effective for acute post-surgical recovery, the long-term administration of opioids requires careful clinical supervision due to the significant risk of physical dependence and respiratory depression.
Usually appears in the plural form when referring to the class of drugs or the general crisis; takes a plural verb.