Morphine, the main alkaloid of opium, was first obtained from poppy seeds in 1805.1 It is a potent analgesic, though its use is limited due to tolerance, withdrawal, and the risk of abuse.2 Morphine is still routinely used today, though there are a number of semi-synthetic opioids of varying strength such as codeine, fentanyl, methadone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, and oxycodone.
