Abstract
Narcotics are the substances used to treat moderate to severe pain. They could be natural like opiates such as morphine, codeine etc., synthetic like fentanyl, methadone etc., and semi-synthetic like oxycodone, hydrocodone etc. These drugs act as pain relievers, induces the state of stupor or sleep, and increase the physical dependence on them. In forensic autopsy case, the forensic pathologist may require a complete toxicological investigation for different poisons including stimulants. In India, Forensic Science Laboratories run by Government under the Home ministry usually carry out this. The samples must be analysed by the forensic toxicologist/chemists/scientist. This article deals with the screening/spot test for narcotics. It attempts to simplify the standard procedures in a step-wise manner, which can be of handy reference for the forensic toxicologist.
Highlights
Narcotics, the word is borrowed from the Greek word ‘narkotikós’, which means lethargic or stuporous
The expression narcotic is generally used to refer to a class of drugs that are analgesics, central nervous system depressants and produces insensibility or stupor
Narcotics commonly termed as Opioids, usually produces analgesia, mood swings, physiological dependence, heavy tolerance and a hedonic or rewarding effect, which contributes to compulsive use of the drug by the abuser
Summary
The word is borrowed from the Greek word ‘narkotikós’, which means lethargic or stuporous. The expression narcotic is generally used to refer to a class of drugs that are analgesics, central nervous system depressants and produces insensibility or stupor. Narcotics commonly termed as Opioids, usually produces analgesia, mood swings, physiological dependence, heavy tolerance and a hedonic or rewarding effect, which contributes to compulsive use of the drug by the abuser. Narcotics majorly attacks the Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System and usually found in these areas as well as in the Gastrointestinal Tract. Such drugs act by binding to opioid receptors in the body, as narcotics mediate both the psychoactive and somatic effects of opioids, though they do not cross the blood-brain barrier, but can shift other. This article covers the different narcotics drugs like Acetorphine, Alphaprodine, Anileridine, Benzylmorphine, Bezitramide, Buprenorphine, Butorphanol, Codeine, Cyclazocine, Dextromoramide, Dextropropoxyphene, Diamorphine, Diethylthiambutene, Dihydrocodeine, Dipipanone, Embutramide, Etorphine, Ketobemidone, Methadone, Morphine, Pentazocine, Pethidine, Phenazocine, Phenoperidine, Profadol and Thebacon
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