Pharmacology · single question

Which of the following is a FULLY SYNTHETIC opioid analgesic?

  1. Morphine (natural opiate)
  2. Codeine (natural opiate)
  3. Hydrocodone (semi-synthetic opioid)
  4. Fentanyl (fully synthetic opioid)
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. Fentanyl (fully synthetic opioid)

Opioids are classified by their origin: Natural opiates (derived from opium poppy — Papaver somniferum): morphine, codeine, thebaine. Semi-synthetic opioids (chemically modified from natural opiates): hydrocodone (from codeine), oxycodone (from thebaine), heroin (from morphine), hydromorphone. Fully synthetic opioids (entirely laboratory-synthesized, no natural opiate precursor): fentanyl, methadone, meperidine (pethidine), tramadol, buprenorphine. Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and is used for surgical anesthesia, breakthrough cancer pain, and chronic pain management.

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