Despite being legal with a doctor's prescription, opioid painkillers can come with serious health risks.
ADVERTISEMENT
What a legal drug that kills more Americans than heroin does to your mind and body
Since they slow breathing and act on the same brain systems as heroin, opioids carry serious risks, from overdose to, in rarer cases, addiction.
ADVERTISEMENT
The drugs belong to a larger class of drugs known as opioids, which includes legal, lab-produced drugs like oxycodone, fentanyl, and morphine as well as illegal drugs like heroin. Since they slow breathing and act on the same brain systems as heroin, opioid painkillers carry serious risks, from overdose to, in rarer cases, addiction.
FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
Africa's giants play tug of war for the top economic spot
Morocco is making giant strides to become Africa's aviation manufacturing hub
Hackers test their ransomwares in less protected regions like Africa before striking richer nations: Report
Top social media platforms used for agriculture in Kenya - Survey
African countries with the fastest-growing military strength in 2024
3 African countries could play host to Russian diplomatic missions
Trends in online casino gaming in New Zealand
10 African countries with the highest number of migrants