National Institutes of Health

Opioids

Prescription opioids with many bottles of pills in the background.

©AdobeStock/Kimberly Boyles

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin^®), hydrocodone (Vicodin^®), codeine, morphine, and many others. Learn about the health effects of prescription opioids and read the DrugFacts on Fentanyl, Heroin, and Prescription Opioids.

In 2021, approximately 80,411 people died from an overdose involving an opioid.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Learn more about:

NIDA's Role in the NIH HEAL Initiative^℠
Drug Overdose Death Rates
Benzodiazepines & Opioids
Xylazine in the Illicit Opioid Supply
Opioid Research Findings Funded by NIDA - (PubMed - 2001 to present)

Featured Opioid Information

Nasal Naloxone

Naloxone DrugFacts

Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person during an opioid overdose.

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Medications for Opioid Overdose, Withdrawal, & Addiction

Explore the different types of medications prescribed for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction

Clinician talking with patient

Research Report

Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder Research Report

Discusses effective medications used to treat opioid use disorders: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

Silueta de un hombre caminando en el campo al atardecer

Trends & Statistics

Drug Overdose Death Rates

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collects information on deaths involving many commonly used drugs

More on this Topic

Multimedia

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Video

Medications for opioid use disorder are safe, effective, and save lives. This NIDA-produced video takes a closer look at...

Breaking Down the Stigma of Addiction: A Witness’ Story Through Art

Watch artist and advocate William Stoehr’s intimate testimony, as he shares his story of loss to an opioid overdose and...

How Naloxone Saves Lives in Opioid Overdose

Naloxone saves lives. This video reviews when naloxone is used, how it is administered, and the way it works. The...

Opioid Treatment: Considering the Patient's Environment

Dr. Travis Rieder of Johns Hopkins University discusses the importance of considering a patient's environment when...

Video of NIH Director Francis Collins on Washington Post Live

NIH Director Francis Collins on America’s Opioid Crisis (5:08)

NIH Director Francis Collins discusses the role of his agency in combating the opioid crisis in the United States.

Related Resources

NIH Director’s Blog on Opioids
NIH HEAL Initiative videos - View all HEAL related videos on the NIH YouTube Channel
FDA launches public education campaign to encourage safe removal of unused opioid pain medicines from homes (FDA, April 2019)
The Opioid Misuse Community Assessment Tool (NORC)
Opioid Misuse in Rural America (USDA)
Opioid Prescribing (CDC: Vital Signs)
Fact Sheets: Prescription Opioid Abuse and Heroin Use Epidemic (White House)
Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit (SAMHSA)
Treatment Improvement Protocol: Medications for Opioid Use Disorders (SAMHSA)
Clinical Guidance for Treating Pregnant and Parenting Women With Opioid Use Disorder and Their Infants (SAMHSA)
Opioids and Adolescents (Office of Adolescent Health)