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

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids01:15

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

1.5K
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...
1.5K
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners01:20

Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

1.6K
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...
1.6K
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

3.3K
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...
3.3K
Opioid Receptors: Overview01:22

Opioid Receptors: Overview

7.1K
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,...
7.1K
Dose-Response Relationship: Potency and Efficacy01:22

Dose-Response Relationship: Potency and Efficacy

6.8K
The potency of a drug is the measure of its ability to produce a biological response and can be compared by looking at the half-maximum effective concentration or EC50 values of different drugs. A lower EC50 value indicates higher potency of the drug. In the dose–response curve of two antihypertensive drugs, candesartan and irbesartan, a significant difference is observed in their EC50 values. A lower EC50 value for candesartan indicates that it is more potent than irbesartan, as it...
6.8K
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents01:17

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents

1.0K
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...
1.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Use of gabapentin with or without a prescription in substance use treatment settings: A national analysis of urine drug testing data, 2016-2023.

Drug and alcohol dependence·2026
Same author

Postmarketing Research for Opioid Abuse-Deterrent Formulations: A Narrative Review.

Journal of pain research·2025
Same author

Review of Opioid Abuse-Deterrent Formulations: Impact and Barriers to Access.

Journal of pain research·2024
Same author

The effects of virtual reality neuroscience-based therapy on clinical and neuroimaging outcomes in patients with chronic back pain: a randomized clinical trial.

Pain·2024
Same author

Reversal of Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression in Healthy Volunteers: Comparison of Intranasal Nalmefene and Intranasal Naloxone.

Journal of clinical pharmacology·2024
Same author

Three recent court decisions reframe what constitutes criminal conduct in prescribing controlled substances.

Journal of opioid management·2023
Same journal

Screening for substance use disorders in primary care settings: A systematic review.

Journal of opioid management·2026
Same journal

The prevalence of naloxone distribution and training programs at 4-year public colleges in the United States.

Journal of opioid management·2026
Same journal

The effect of a multifaceted intervention on post-operative opioid use after orthopedic and spine surgery: Results of a before-after pilot study.

Journal of opioid management·2026
Same journal

Post-operative opioid consumption after single-shot versus continuous erector spinae plane block in cardiac surgery: An observational study.

Journal of opioid management·2026
Same journal

Outcomes of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection frac-tion on chronic opioids: A nationwide analysis.

Journal of opioid management·2026
Same journal

Barriers providers face to prescribe buprenorphine as MOUD that can inform critical supports after the removal of the DATA-waiver.

Journal of opioid management·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 25, 2026

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

34.7K

Opioid analgesics: does potency matter?

Steven D Passik1, Lynn Webster2

  • 1Director of Clinical Addiction Research & Education, Millennium Laboratories, Inc., San Diego, California.

Journal of Opioid Management
|August 28, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Opioid potency does not directly correlate with effectiveness or abuse risk. Clinicians should focus on individualized patient needs, medication selection, and careful monitoring for safe and effective chronic pain management.

More Related Videos

Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery
09:38

Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery

Published on: April 14, 2016

14.0K
Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding
10:13

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding

Published on: June 9, 2017

15.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 25, 2026

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

34.7K
Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery
09:38

Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery

Published on: April 14, 2016

14.0K
Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding
10:13

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding

Published on: June 9, 2017

15.8K

Area of Science:

  • Pain Management
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Therapeutics

Background:

  • Opioid analgesics are widely prescribed for chronic pain, but their potency is often misunderstood.
  • Misconceptions exist among patients and clinicians regarding the relationship between opioid potency, efficacy, and abuse potential.
  • The clinical relevance of opioid potency in long-term pain management remains poorly defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and debunk common myths surrounding opioid analgesic potency.
  • To clarify the relationship between pharmacologic potency, analgesia, and abuse liability.
  • To provide guidance on safe and effective opioid use in chronic pain management.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article discussing common myths and misconceptions about opioid potency.
  • It examines the limitations of published opioid dose conversion tables for long-term therapy.
  • The review synthesizes information on factors influencing effective analgesia and risk reduction.

Main Results:

  • Pharmacologic potency alone does not determine analgesic effectiveness or abuse liability.
  • Published dose conversion tables may be inaccurate for patients on long-term opioid therapy.
  • Individualized patient needs, medication characteristics, and pharmacokinetic differences are key factors.

Conclusions:

  • Clinicians must understand that opioid potency is not a direct indicator of efficacy or risk.
  • Effective and safe opioid therapy relies on careful patient assessment, appropriate dosing, and vigilant monitoring.
  • Knowledge of product formulation and individual opioid metabolism is crucial for optimizing pain management.