Y45: Analgesics, antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs

Y45.0: Opioids and related analgesics

Opioids and related analgesics are a class of drugs that are often prescribed by healthcare professionals to manage severe or chronic pain. These medications work by binding to specific receptors in your brain, spinal cord and other areas of the body to reduce the feeling of pain. While they can be highly effective in pain management, prolonged or inappropriate use can lead to harmful side effects such as dependency and overdose, a condition known as opioid use disorder. Common signs of opioid misuse can include confusion, sedation, shallow or slow breathing, and small, constricted "pinpoint" pupils. Overdose can lead to severe respiratory depression and could potentially be fatal. Note that this is a broad category which includes several types of drugs such as morphine, codeine, and oxycodone among others.