Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Narcótico
Narcotic (nar-KAH-tik)
A substance used to treat moderate to severe pain. Narcotics are like opiates such as morphine and codeine, but are not made from opium. They bind to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Narcotics are now called opioids.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.