Morphine and heroin are both well-known narcotic drugs. They are quite similar substances, with enough overlap in molecular structure, mechanism of action and range of effects to blur the distinction between the two without closer scrutiny.
These drugs are indeed very similar to each other in chemical structures, mechanism of action and range of effects. Both morphine and heroin belong to a class of drugs known as opioids – a group of substances that all interact similarly within the brain to reduce pain perception.
In the United States, morphine is categorized as a “Schedule 2 Drug” by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). This drug category means that while morphine has accepted uses for medical treatment, its use is severely restricted, as it has a high potential for leading to strong psychological or physical dependence.
Morphine is an opioid that has been used as an analgesic to relieve pain for over 100 years. It is often used, for example, before and after surgery to reduce severe pain. And in the case of patients with HIV/AIDS, morphine is often prized as the “gold standard” to manage pain and improve end-of-life care.
| Heroin |
Heroin is extremely addictive no matter how it is administered. Its widespread use is identified as one of the most important drug abuse issues affecting several regions across the U.S.
Heroin, on the other hand, is categorized as an illegal, “Schedule 1 Drug” in the U.S. – meaning that it is currently not acceptable for any medical use.
Heroin lacks an acceptable safety level even under supervision of medical professionals, and it has a high potential for abuse.
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