Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 18, 2025

Determining heat and mechanical pain threshold in inflamed skin of human subjects
Published on: January 14, 2009
Topical opioid use in dermatologic disease: A systematic review
Yasmin Gutierrez1, Sarah P Pourali2, Alison H Kucharik3
1School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA.
None:
Topical opioid formulations offer a potential solution to manage pain and decrease the use of systemic opioids. Synthesis of use and efficacy of topical opioids in dermatological conditions has not been well characterized. We conducted a systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases from 1980 to February 2021. This study analyzed data from 14 articles and 263 patients on the use of topical opioids for pain related to chronic ulcers, burns, oral lichen planus, photodynamic therapy, and split-thickness skin grafts. Topical opioids included in this review were topical morphine and diamorphine. Common formulations consisted of 0.2-10 mg of opioid compounded with hydrogel or IntraSite gel. Topical opioids were variably effective in the use for pain control related to chronic ulcers and other dermatologic conditions. For example, the use of topical opioids appears to be effective in the reduction of pain related to pressure ulcers. Topical opioids were generally well tolerated. Insufficient data exist to adequately evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical opioid use in the context of nonpressure ulcers, burns, oral lichen planus, photodynamic therapy, and split-thickness skin grafts.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...

