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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
07:23
Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
Published on: July 29, 2014
Opioid analgesics
1Department of Anaesthesia, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
British Journal of Hospital Medicine
|February 5, 1997
Summary
New opioid drugs show promise for pain relief but still cause side effects. Remifentanil, an intravenous opioid, offers rapid effects and quick recovery due to its unique metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Anesthesiology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Opioid analgesics are crucial for pain management but are limited by side effects.
- Development of selective opioid receptor agonists aims to improve efficacy and safety.
- Understanding opioid pharmacokinetics is essential for optimizing clinical use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in opioid pharmacology.
- To highlight the potential and limitations of selective opioid receptor agents.
- To discuss the pharmacokinetic properties of remifentanil.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent developments in opioid pharmacology.
- Analysis of studies on selective opioid receptor activity.
- Examination of pharmacokinetic data for remifentanil.
Main Results:
- Selective opioid receptor activity has not yet yielded analgesics without side effects.
- Remifentanil exhibits rapid onset and short, predictable recovery.
- Recovery from remifentanil is independent of infusion duration due to esterase metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Despite progress, achieving potent analgesia without side effects remains a challenge.
- Remifentanil's unique pharmacokinetic profile offers advantages in clinical settings requiring rapid control and recovery.
- Further research into selective opioid receptor modulation is warranted.
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