Opioid abuse has long been an issue in America, and it seems that it is finally getting proper attention. For millions of people, the use of opioids led to an addiction that not only harmed individuals but also shattered families and communities. Current medical research focuses on the possibility to create opioids that will perform their primary function of alleviating pain but be rid of the side effects leading to addiction. This may be possible through expanded research of chemical composition and reactions that medications produce.
Key Takeaways:
- The acidity level of the human body makes morphine and fentanyl biochemically active throughout the entire body.
- The higher acidity level of injured tissue may make it possible to target the opioid to only that portion of the body.
- Adding fluorine to opioids may limit their activity and allow pain relief without addiction.
“The first wave of the opioid epidemic in the United States began in the 1990s.”
Read more: https://theconversation.com/designing-less-addictive-opioids-through-chemistry-163557
