Before we list all the generic names and brand names of opioid meds – the most commonly prescribed opioid medications, to be exact – let’s look at why opioids are so effective when (and if) they are used as directed by health care providers, including your family physician.
How Do Opioids Work?
Opioids actually work by attaching to particular receptors in the brain, known as opioid receptors. By attaching here, a signal is sent to block the sensation of pain, but also slows breathing, and actually has a non-calming effect. Since the chemical structure of opioids mimics natural neurotransmitters, the result is an excessive amount of these signals being sent through our neural pathways.
As a further result, the brain is flooded with dopamine, one of the more well-known “feel-good” transmitters. This is what produces the euphoric “high” of opioid use and misuse, and can lead to the addiction of opioid prescriptions.
Addiction occurs because the brain’s neural networking has its own way of ensuring our survival, including prompting an individual to pursue an activity that is pleasurable or rewarding. Whenever the “reward circuit” is activated, the activity is automatically memorized, and then demands that we keep repeating it.
Additionally, opioids neglect to activate nerve cells in the way that natural neurotransmitters do. In other words, opioids only target the brain’s neural networking – they don’t actually get to the source of the pain at all.
1. Generic Name: Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone, classed as an opioid analgesic, is a prescription narcotic used for the management of severe pain requiring daily, around-the-clock, long-term treatment, and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Hydrocodone, when not combined with other active ingredients, is for adults only, as its safety has not been established for children. It is available under the following brand names:
Opioid Brand Name:
- Hysingla ER (extended-release)
- Vantrela ER
- Zohydro ER
Hydrocodone is also available as an active ingredient in combined opioid prescription medications; for example, Vicodin, which is a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Therefore, hydrocodone (when combined with at least one other main ingredient) is also available under the following brand names (provided here with all their active ingredients):
Opioid Brand Name & Active Ingredients:
- Apadaz benzhydrocodone and acetaminophen
- Flowtuss hydrocodone bitartrate and guaifenesin
- Histinex HC phenylephrine, hydrocodone, and chlorpheniramine maleate
- Hycodan hydrocodone bitartrate and homatropine methylbromide
- Hycofenix hydrocodone bitartrate, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, and guaifenesin
- Hycotuss hydrocodone bitartrate and guaifenesin
- Lorcet hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Lortab 10 hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Lortab 2.5 hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Lortab 5 hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Lortab 7.5 hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Lortab Elixir hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Norco hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Norco 5/325 hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Obredon hydrocodone bitartrate and guaifenesin
- Reprexain hydrocodone bitartrate and ibuprofen
- Rezira hydrocodone bitartrate and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
- Tussigon hydrocodone bitartrate and homatropine methylbromide
- Tussionex hydrocodone and chlorpheniramine
- Vicodin hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Vicodin ES hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Vicodin HP hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Vicoprofen hydrocodone and ibuprofen
- Vituz hydrocodone bitartrate and chlorpheniramine maleate
- Xodol hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Xtrelus hydrocodone bitartrate and guaifenesin
- Zamicet hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Zolvit hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Zutripro hydrocodone bitartrate, chlorpheniramine maleate, and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
- Zydone hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
- Zyfrel hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen
2. Generic Name: Oxycodone
Oxycodone, classed as an opioid analgesic, is a prescription narcotic used for the management of moderate to severe pain, such as cancer-related pain. Oxycodone, when not combined with other active ingredients, is available under the following brand names:
Opioid Brand Name:
- Oxaydo
- Oxecta
- OxyContin
- Roxicodone
- RoxyBond
- Xtampza ER
Oxycodone is also available as an active ingredient in combined opioid prescription medications; for example, Percocet, which is a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen. Therefore, oxycodone (when combined with at least one other main ingredient) is also available under the following brand names (provided here with all their active ingredients):
Opioid Brand Name: Active Ingredients:
- Combunox oxycodone HCl (hydrochloride) and ibuprofen
- Endocet oxycodone and acetaminophen
- Endodan oxycodone and aspirin
- Percocet oxycodone and acetaminophen
- Percodan oxycodone HCl and aspirin
- Roxicet oxycodone and acetaminophen
- Targiniq ER oxycodone HCl and naltrexone hydrochloride
- Troxyca ER oxycodone HCl and naltrexone hydrochloride
- Tylox oxycodone and acetaminophen
- Xartemis XR oxycodone HCl and acetaminophen
3. Generic Name: Hydromorphone
Hydromorphone, classed as an opioid analgesic, is a prescription narcotic used for the management of moderate to severe pain. Hydromorphone, in the form of hydromorphone HCl, when not combined with other active ingredients, is available under the following brand names:
Opioid Brand Name:
- Dilaudid
- Dilaudid-HP
- Exalgo
- Palladone
4. Generic Name: Fentanyl
Fentanyl, classed as an opioid analgesic, is a prescription narcotic used for the management of severe pain, such as cancer-related pain. Fentanyl, when not combined with other active ingredients, is available under the following brand names, and in a range of varying forms, such as nasal sprays, skin patches and buccal tablets, as well as the more normal tablet and injection forms:
Opioid Brand Name:
- Abstral
- Actiq
- Duragesic
- Fentanyl Buccal
- Fentanyl Citrate Injection
- Fentanyl Transdermal System
- Fentora
- Ionsys
- Lazanda
- Onsolis
- Sublimaze
- Subsys
- Ultiva*
*The active ingredient in Ultiva is remifentanil, chemically-related to fentanyl
5. Generic Name: Oxymorphone
Oxymorphone, classed as an opioid analgesic, is a prescription narcotic used for the management of moderate to severe pain. Oxymorphone, when not combined with other active ingredients, is available under the following brand names:
Opioid Brand Name:
- Numorphan
- Opana
- Opana ER
6. Generic Name: Morphine
Morphine, classed as an opioid analgesic, is a prescription narcotic used for the management of acute pain, such as cancer-related pain. Morphine, in the form of either morphine or morphine sulfate, when not combined with other active ingredients, is available under the following brand names:
Opioid Brand Name:
- Arymo ER
- Avinza
- DepoDur
- Duramorph
- Infumorph
- Kadia
- Morphabond
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate
- MS-Contin
- Paregoric
- Roxanol
- Statex
Morphine, in its sulfate form, is also available as an active ingredient in a combined opioid prescription medication – namely:
Opioid Brand Name & Active Ingredients:
Embeda morphine sulfate and naltrexone HCl
7. Generic Name: Codeine
Codeine, classed as an opioid analgesic, is a prescription narcotic used for the management of moderate to severe pain. Codeine, when not combined with other active ingredients, is available under the following brand names:
Opioid Brand Name:
- Codeine Sulfate
- Codeine Phosphate
Codeine, in various forms, is also available as an active ingredient in combined opioid prescription medications. Therefore, codeine (when combined with at least one other main ingredient) is also available under the following brand names (provided here with all their active ingredients):
- Opioid Brand Name: Active Ingredients:
- Ascomp with Codeine codeine phosphate, butalbital, aspirin, and caffeine
- Dimetane codeine, brompheniramine, and phenylpropanolamine
- Fioricet with Codeine codeine, butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine
- Fiorinal with Codeine codeine and butalbital compound
- Phenergan-Codeine codeine phosphate and promethazine HCl
- Robitussin Ac codeine and guaifenesin
- Soma Compound with Codeine codeine, carisoprodol, and aspirin
- Synalgos DC dihydrocodeine bitartrate, aspirin, and caffeine
- Trezix Capsules dihydrocodeine bitartrate, acetaminophen, and caffeine
- Triacin C codeine phosphate, triprolidine HCl, and pseudoephedrine
- Tylenol-Codeine codeine and acetaminophen
8. Generic Name: Methadone
Methadone, classed as an opioid analgesic, is a prescription narcotic used for the management of moderate to severe pain, or the treatment of opioid dependence. Methadone, when not combined with other active ingredients, is available under the following brand names:
Opioid Brand Name:
- Dolophine
- Methadone
- Methadone Hydrochloride Injection
- Methadose
- Methadose Oral Concentrate
9. Generic Name: Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine, classed as an opioid analgesic, is a prescription narcotic used for the treatment or maintenance of opioid dependence, such as heroin addiction. Methadone, when not combined with other active ingredients, is available under the following brand names:
Opioid Brand Name:
- Belbuca
- Buprenex
- Butrans
- Probuphine
- Sublocade
- Subutex
Buprenorphine is also available as an active ingredient in combined opioid prescription medications. Therefore, buprenorphine (when combined with at least one other main ingredient) is also available under the following brand names (provided here with all their active ingredients):
Opioid Brand Name & Active Ingredients:
- Bunavail buprenorphine and naloxone
- Buprenorphine and Naloxone buprenorphine and naloxone
- Cassipa buprenorphine and naloxone
- Suboxone buprenorphine HCl and naloxone HCl
- Zubsolv buprenorphine and naloxone
10. Generic Name: Tramadol
Tramadol, classed as an opioid analgesic, is a prescription narcotic used for the management of moderate to severe pain. Tramadol, when not combined with other active ingredients, is available in the form of tramadol hydrochloride (HCl) under the following brand names:
Opioid Brand Name:
- ConZip
- Qdolo
- Rybix ODT (Orally Disintegrating Tablets)
- Ryzolt
- Ultram
- Ultram ER
Tramadol, again its HCl form, is also available as an active ingredient in a combined opioid prescription medication – namely:
Opioid Brand Name & Active Ingredients:
- Ultracet tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen
11. Generic Name: Meperidine
Meperidine, classed as an opioid analgesic, is a prescription narcotic used for the management of moderate to severe pain. Meperidine, when not combined with other active ingredients, is available under the following brand name:
Opioid Brand Name:
- Demerol
Meperidine is also available as an active ingredient in a combined opioid prescription medication – namely:
Opioid Brand Name & Active Ingredients:
- Mepergan meperidine and promethazine
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