Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
05:13
Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
Published on: February 28, 2025
822
Managing opioid dependence in pregnancy -- a general practice perspective.
Shalini Arunogiri1, Lea Foo, Matthew Frei
1MBBS, MPsych, FRANZCP, is an Addiction Psychiatry Registrar, Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Victoria.
Australian Family Physician
|October 17, 2013
Summary
Managing opioid dependence in pregnant women requires careful treatment. Opioid substitution therapy can be effective, but requires specialized care and monitoring for potential neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Addiction Medicine
- Perinatal Care
Background:
- Opioid dependence in pregnancy presents unique clinical challenges.
- Engaging drug-dependent women in antenatal care requires tailored strategies.
- Opioid substitution therapy necessitates precise dose management.
Observation:
- Pregnancy offers a critical window for behavioral change in opioid-dependent women.
- Clinical support during pregnancy can lead to positive outcomes.
- Holistic assessment and specialist referral are crucial for effective management.
Findings:
- Opioid substitution therapy is a key treatment principle for pregnant women.
- Guidelines exist for the use of opioid substitution therapy in this population.
- Neonatal abstinence syndrome is a significant consideration.
Implications:
- General practitioners play a vital role in coordinating care for pregnant patients with opioid dependence.
- Decision-making regarding pharmacotherapy choice is critical.
- Comprehensive management strategies are essential for both mother and neonate.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
3.4K
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...
3.4K
01:15Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
1.6K
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...
1.6K
01:20Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
1.7K
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...
1.7K
01:17Drug Dependence
1.9K
Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
1.9K
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
1.7K
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not...
1.7K
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
286
Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...
286