Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

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 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...
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...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents01:17

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents

Diarrhea, a condition marked by frequent loose or watery bowel movements, can be triggered by multiple factors such as viral or bacterial infections, food intolerances, anxiety, medications, and digestive disorders. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and cramping. Severe or prolonged diarrhea can lead to complications like electrolyte imbalances, malnutrition, and dehydration if left untreated.
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids01:21

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

[Clinical emergency-complicated infections of the middle ear and paranasal sinuses].

HNO·2026
Same author

Suicidal ideation in patients with skin conditions: A multicentre European study.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2026
Same author

European Guideline (EuroGuiDerm) on atopic eczema: Living update.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2025
Same author

European S2k guidelines for hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa part 2: Treatment.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2024
Same author

A cross-sectional study on gender differences in body dysmorphic concerns in patients with skin conditions in relation to sociodemographic, clinical and psychological variables.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2024
Same author

Correction to: Comparative Effectiveness and Durability of Biologics in Clinical Practice: Month 12 Outcomes from the International, Observational Psoriasis Study of Health Outcomes (PSoHO).

Dermatology and therapy·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 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

Opioid-induced pruritus: an update.

A Reich1, J C Szepietowski

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland. adi_medicalis@go2.pl

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
|August 12, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Opioid-induced pruritus, or itching caused by opioids, is a common side effect. Current treatments are not fully satisfactory, necessitating further research into effective therapies.

More Related Videos

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
07:23

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities

Published on: July 29, 2014

Use of the Operant Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) to Measure Changes in Nociceptive Behavior
12:20

Use of the Operant Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) to Measure Changes in Nociceptive Behavior

Published on: June 10, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 21, 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

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
07:23

Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities

Published on: July 29, 2014

Use of the Operant Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) to Measure Changes in Nociceptive Behavior
12:20

Use of the Operant Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) to Measure Changes in Nociceptive Behavior

Published on: June 10, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Dermatology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Pruritus is a common symptom associated with various diseases and drug side effects.
  • Opioids are well-known medications that can induce pruritus through peripheral and central mechanisms.
  • Existing treatments for opioid-induced pruritus lack complete efficacy and satisfactory outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of opioid-induced pruritus.
  • To discuss proposed pathogenic mechanisms.
  • To evaluate existing and potential treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on opioid-induced pruritus.
  • Analysis of proposed peripheral and central mechanisms.
  • Evaluation of the efficacy of various treatment options, including opioid antagonists.

Main Results:

  • Opioid-induced pruritus is a complex condition with incompletely understood pathogenesis.
  • Opioid antagonists show antipruritic effects but also reduce analgesia, limiting their use.
  • Current treatment data are conflicting, with limited studies confirming efficacy for many interventions.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is essential to elucidate the mechanisms of opioid-induced pruritus.
  • Development of more effective and targeted treatment options is needed.
  • Balancing pruritus relief with analgesia remains a challenge in managing opioid side effects.