Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 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

33.5K

Morphine-Induced Fever: A Case Series

Manisha Bhagat1, Saurabh Suman1, Kartik C Besra1

  • 1Anesthesiology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND.

Cureus
|April 28, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Postoperative fever can be caused by opioid-induced pyrexia. In five cases, morphine administration led to fever, which resolved after switching to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Postoperative fever is commonly caused by infection, but other etiologies exist.
  • Differential diagnosis of fever after surgery is crucial for appropriate patient management.

Observation:

  • Five patients developed fever following postoperative analgesia with morphine injection.
  • All other potential causes of fever were systematically excluded in these cases.

Findings:

  • Opioid-induced pyrexia is a potential complication of postoperative pain management.
  • Discontinuation of the offending opioid and substitution with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents resolved the fever in all reported cases.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider opioid-induced pyrexia in the differential diagnosis of postoperative fever.
  • Prompt recognition and management can prevent prolonged fever and unnecessary investigations.
  • Further research into the mechanisms of opioid-induced pyrexia is warranted.
Keywords:
cervical cordcox-2 inhibitorsintervertebral discnon-steroidal antiinflammatory drugsopioid usepost operative feverpostopertive infectionprostheses and implantsvenous thromboembolism (vte)

More Related Videos

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings06:59

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings

Published on: November 9, 2016

30.6K
Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management06:43

Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management

Published on: November 21, 2017

24.5K

Related Concept Videos

Increased Body Temperature01:25

Increased Body Temperature

A body temperature above  38°C  (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
Methods of reducing fever01:22

Methods of reducing fever

The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Types of Fever01:25

Types of Fever

Fever can be triggered by several factors, including infections, nervous system disorders, certain cancers, blood diseases like leukemia, embolism, thrombosis, heatstroke, dehydration, surgical trauma, crushing injuries, and allergic reactions.
Here are the different types of fever:
Patterns of Fever01:26

Patterns of Fever

Before understanding the types and patterns of fever, it is essential to know its phases.
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...
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...