Historical Timeline of Opioids

The Following Information was found at http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/painkillers/a-short-history.html

and

https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/12/health/opioid-addiction-history/index.html

(we do not own any of this information and further information can be found using the links provided).

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Opioids did not always have the negative connotation connected to them that they have today. Morphine was once considered a great drug during the civil war when the ability to control pain seemed miraculous. However, Civil war veterans were among those of the century who were hooked on prescription drugs.

1830- Codeine, a less powerful drug that is found in opium but can be synthesized (man-made), was first isolated in 1830 in France by Jean-Pierre Robiquet, to replace raw opium for medical purposes. It is used mainly as a cough remedy.

1874- Chemists were trying to find a less addictive form of morphine made heroin. But heroin had twice the potency of morphine, and heroin addiction soon became a serious problem.

1905- Congress banned opium and the next year passed the Pure Food and Drug Act.

1914- The Harrison Narcotics Tax Act created a tax for those who were producing, selling, or distributing Narcotic substances or any derivative of Opium or Coca Leaves.

1937- Methadone was first synthesized by German scientists Max Bockmühl and Gustav Ehrhart at the IG Farben company

1984-Vicodin in put on the market and approved by FDA

1995- OxyContin introduced to the market and approved by FDA.

1999- Percocet in introduced to market and approved by FDA.