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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Intracranial Pharmacotherapy and Pain Assays in Rodents
Published on: April 9, 2019
[Intranasal opioids for acute pain]
C Añez Simón1, M Rull Bartomeu, A Rodríguez Pérez
1Servicio de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor y M. Paliativa, Hospital Universitario de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Tarragona. cristobal_anez@yahoo.es
Abstract:
Intranasal drug administration is an easy, well-tolerated, noninvasive transmucosal route that avoids first-pass metabolism in the liver. The nasal mucosa provides an extensive, highly vascularized surface of pseudostratified ciliated epithelium. It secretes mucus that is subjected to mucociliary movement that can affect the time of contact between the drug and the surface. Absorption is influenced by anatomical and physiological factors as well as by properties of the drug and the delivery system. We review the literature on intranasal administration of fentanyl, meperidine, diamorphine, and butorphanol to treat acute pain. The adverse systemic effects are similar to those described for intravenous administration, the most common being drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. Local effects reported are a burning sensation with meperidine and a bad taste.
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