Abstracto

Future of minimizing opioid adverse effects while maintaining or improving opioid-related analgesia

Howard S Smith

Opioids are potent broad-spectrum analgesics that may provide significant relief from severe pain and suffering. However, unfortunately, opioids possess certain qualities and adverse effects that may detract from their potential benefits or even contribute to patients discontinuing chronic opioid therapy despite obtaining significant opioid-induced analgesia. Opioid-induced adverse effects represent a significant obstacle in achieving appropriate analgesia and/or patient comfort. Investigators continue major efforts to develop novel opioids and other analgesics and strategies, as well as efforts to improve existing analgesics such as opioids. Multiple efforts to modify opioid analgesic agents aiming to improve analgesia and/or minimize unwanted effects are ongoing. These strategies include the development of combination opioid analgesics, ‘alternative opioids’ and peripherally acting opioids.