Definition
Opioid Antagonists
Naloxone (Narcan)
Pure antagonist of μ, κ, and δ receptors. Must be administered with caution – if too aggressive, can elicit extreme pain, HTN, arrhythmias, pulmonary edema, and death (thought to be due to massive catecholamine response to pain), as well as opioid withdrawal symptoms in patients who require opioids. Peak effect within 1-2 minutes may last up to 4 hours (but duration is variable). Small doses of 20-40 μcg are prudent. Infusion rate is 3-10 μcg/hr
Naltrexone
Long acting oral opioid antagonist, also a pure antagonist
Mixed Agonists-Antagonists
Nalbuphine
μ-antagonist, κ-agonist (possible δ activity). Minimal MAC reduction in animal studies (~ 8%) thus not particularly useful during general anesthesia. Main purported advantage is ceiling effect of respiratory depression (μ2-mediated), thought to be approximately equal to 0.4 mg/kg morphine. Reduces itching after intrathecal opioid administration.Antagonist/partial agonist of μ receptors, κ-agonist. Like nalbuphine, also exhibits minimal MAC reduction in animal studies (~ 11%), but unlike nalbuphine, is more sedating
Buprenorphine
Partial agonist of μ receptors, possible antagonist at κ receptor.
Opioid Reversal
- Naloxone: pure μ, κ, and δ antagonist. 20-40 μcg IV, onset 1-2 mins. May cause extreme pain, HTN, arrhythmias, pulmonary edema, and death
- Naltrexone: pure antagonist, oral equivalent of naloxone
- Nalbuphine: μ-antagonist, κ-agonist (possible δ activity). Reduces itching after intrathecal opioid administration
- Butorphanol: antagonist/partial agonist of μ receptors, κ-agonist
- Buprenorphine: partial agonist of μ receptors, no or antagonist at κ receptors. Shows resistance to reversal from naloxone.
Subspecialty
Related Media
Keyword history
See Also:
Sources
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Barash, PG. Clinical Anesthesia, 5th ed. (Philadelphia), p. 376-8, 2006; Miller’s Anesthesia, 7th Edition. p, 808-11
PubMed
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Somrat Charuluxananan, Oranuch Kyokong, Wanna Somboonviboon, Arunchai Narasethakamol, Pissamai Promlok Nalbuphine versus ondansetron for prevention of intrathecal morphine-induced pruritus after cesarean delivery. Anesth. Analg.: 2003, 96(6);1789-93, table of contents
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Somrat Charuluxananan, Oranuch Kyokong, Wanna Somboonviboon, Arunchai Narasethakamol, Pissamai Promlok Nalbuphine versus ondansetron for prevention of intrathecal morphine-induced pruritus after cesarean delivery. Anesth. Analg.: 2003, 96(6);1789-93, table of contents