For other uses see Opiate , or for the class of drugs see Opioid. In medicine, the term opiate describes any of the narcotic alkaloids found in opium. Overview The main opiates derived from opium are morphine, codeine, thebaine, and Papaverine. Noscapine, narceine and approximately 25 other alkaloids are also present, but have essentially little to no effect on the central nervous system, and are not usually considered to be opiates. The drug opium is mostly produced in Asia. The alkaloids Morphine Morphine is by far the most prevalent alkaloid in opium, making up anywhere from 10% to 16% of the total mass, and is responsible for many of its potentially harmful effects, such as pulmonary edema, respiratory depression, coma, cardiac and/or respiratory failure, with a normal lethal dose of 120 to 250 mg. (approximately two grams of opium.)

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