Adverse effects of opioid analgesic drugs.

Abstract

Opioids were available in clinical practice since before the birth of modern anaesthesia--Setürner isolated morphine in 1806. They have a record of safety which is reflected in their high therapeutic ratios, especially the synthetic opioids introduced recently (table III). The most serious immediate adverse effect, respiratory depression, is a predictable effect related closely to analgesia. It is fortunate for anaesthetists who use opioids regularly, that recognition and treatment of respiratory problems are an integral part of their craft and that opioid antagonists are effective in reversing respiratory depression.

• Authors: D J Duthie, W S Nimmo
• Journal: British journal of anaesthesia (Br J Anaesth) Vol. 59 Issue 1 Pg. 61-77 (Jan 1987) ISSN: 0007-0912 [Print] England
• PMID: 2881564 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Narcotic Antagonists

Topics

• Analgesics, Opioid (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Narcotic Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Respiratory Insufficiency (chemically induced)