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The effects of opioids on the lung
Joshua B Radke1, Kelly P Owen, Mark E Sutter
1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, 4150 V St, Suite 2100, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA, joshua.radke@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology
|May 3, 2013
Summary
Opioid medications, used for pain relief and causing euphoria, can lead to various toxicities beyond respiratory depression. This review details pulmonary complications from opioid use and abuse, highlighting diverse effects on the respiratory system.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Opioids are widely used analgesics with euphoric properties, leading to both medicinal and illicit use.
- Beyond respiratory and central nervous system depression, opioids cause diverse toxicities affecting multiple organ systems.
- Pulmonary complications, both direct and indirect, are significant but often overlooked consequences of opioid use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pulmonary complications associated with opioid use and abuse.
- To elucidate the direct and indirect mechanisms of opioid-induced pulmonary toxicity.
- To increase physician awareness of the wide spectrum of opioid-related clinical presentations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on pulmonary complications of opioid use.
- Analysis of direct effects (e.g., granulomatous changes) and indirect effects (e.g., respiratory depression).
- Examination of opioid impact on chemoreceptor sensitivity and central respiratory centers.
Main Results:
- Opioid use is linked to various pulmonary issues, including non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema.
- Direct effects include granulomatous changes, while indirect effects involve respiratory depression.
- Opioids can also affect the immune system, increasing infectious complication risks.
Conclusions:
- Opioid toxicities extend beyond common central nervous system and respiratory depression.
- Pulmonary complications are diverse and can be challenging to diagnose due to varied presentations and patient sedation.
- Understanding these toxicities is crucial for effective clinical recognition and management of opioid-related issues.
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