Endogenous opioid withdrawal in the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.

Abstract

Meptazinol, a partial opioid agonist, diminishes the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction in relapsing fever whereas naloxone, a pure opioid antagonist, is virtually inert. Because endogenous opioid activity is probably increased in the acute phase, the efficacy of meptazinol is unlikely to be due to agonist activity. However, it is possible that in such a severe reaction there may be an exhaustion of endogenous opioids, giving rise to a naturally occurring quasi-morphine-withdrawal syndrome which responds to meptazinol.

• Authors: D J Wright
• Journal: Lancet (London, England) (Lancet) Vol. 1 Issue 8334 Pg. 1135-6 (May 21 1983) ISSN: 0140-6736 [Print] England
• PMID: 6133158 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Azepines
• Endorphins
• Meptazinol
• Naloxone

Topics

• Anti-Bacterial Agents (adverse effects)
• Azepines (pharmacology)
• Body Temperature (drug effects)
• Endorphins (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Fever (chemically induced, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Meptazinol (pharmacology)
• Models, Biological
• Naloxone (pharmacology)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (physiopathology)
• Syphilis (drug therapy)