Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors
04:59

Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors

Published on: September 27, 2019

Are we still scratching the surface? A case of intractable pruritus following systemic opioid analgesia

Dana Tarcatu1, Cristina Tamasdan, Natalie Moryl

  • 1Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.

Journal of Opioid Management
|November 22, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Severe itching from morphine (a common pain medication) did not improve with standard treatments. However, switching to oral oxycodone and low-dose IV naloxone successfully relieved the patient's opioid-induced pruritus.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Opioid-induced pruritus is a common and distressing side effect of opioid analgesics.
  • Standard treatments like antihistamines are often ineffective for severe cases.

Observation:

  • A patient experienced severe pruritus after systemic morphine administration.
  • Symptoms persisted despite antihistamine use and rotation to fentanyl or hydromorphone.

Findings:

  • Oral oxycodone and low-dose intravenous naloxone effectively alleviated the patient's opioid-induced pruritus.
  • This suggests alternative therapeutic strategies beyond standard protocols.

Implications:

  • The findings highlight the need for tailored treatment approaches for refractory opioid-induced pruritus.
  • Further research into the pathogenesis and novel treatments for opioid-induced pruritus is warranted.

More Related Videos

Determining heat and mechanical pain threshold in inflamed skin of human subjects13:21

Determining heat and mechanical pain threshold in inflamed skin of human subjects

Published on: January 14, 2009

Demonstration of Cutaneous Allodynia in Association with Chronic Pelvic Pain06:44

Demonstration of Cutaneous Allodynia in Association with Chronic Pelvic Pain

Published on: June 23, 2009

Related Concept Videos

Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids01:15

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners01:20

Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...
Opioid Receptors: Overview01:22

Opioid Receptors: Overview

Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin or DPDPE for...