In experiments to evaluate responses to the activation of cerebral delta-opioid receptors, repeated daily injection of the selective delta-opioid agonist Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Glu-Val-Val-Gly-NH2 ([D-Ala2]deltorphin II) into rat brain resulted in the development of tolerance, whereas repeated daily injection or continuous infusion of morphine resulted in sensitization to the behavioral activating effec...

The circadian rhythms of many behavioral and physiological functions are regulated by the major circadian pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Long-term opiate addiction and drug withdrawal may affect circadian rhythmicity of various hormones or the sleep/activity pattern of many experimental subjects; however, limited research has been done on the long-term effects of sustained opiate adm...

Background: Buprenorphine, a partial agonist of the mu-opioid receptor, is an increasingly prescribed medication for maintenance treatment opioid use disorder. When this taken in context active use, precipitated withdrawal can occur, leading to acute onset symptoms. Fentanyl complicates buprenorphine, as it slowly releases from body stores and lead higher risk withdr...

The broad use/misuse of prescription opioids during pregnancy has resulted in a surge infants with Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS). Short-term irritability and neurological complications are its hallmarks, but the long-term consequences unknown. A newly-developed preclinical model oxycodone self-administration enables adult female rats to drink (?10/mg/kg/day) before pregnancy, after...

Introduction: Genes often have multiple polymorphisms that interact with each other and the environment in different individuals. Variability in the opioid receptors can influence opiate withdrawal and dependence. In humans, A118G Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) on μ-Opioid Receptor (MOR), 36 G>T in κ-Opioid Receptor (KOR), and T921C in the δ-Opioid Receptor (DOR) have been...

Background: Herbal medical compounds and their major constituent have been used in the management and treatment of opioid withdrawal syndrome and pain. This study was carried out to clarify the effect of curcumin, the major compound of turmeric, on morphine withdrawal syndrome in mouse model and its possible mechanisms of pain relieving activity by assessing in writhing test as a model of visce...

The increasing number of opioid users among chronic pain patients, and opioid abusers among the general population, makes perioperative pain management challenging for health care professionals. Anesthesiologists, surgeons, and nurses should be familiar with some pharmacological phenomena which are typical of opioid users and abusers, such as tolerance, physical dependence, hyperalgesia, and ad...

Information regarding opioid tolerance in the pediatric population is limited, and the information for treating pediatric opioid tolerance is extrapolated from the adult population (Shapiro et al. 1995). The majority of the literature on withdrawal syndromes and tolerance comes from the adult literature and is associated with opioidaddicted patients (Collett 1998; Anand and Arnold 1994). Opioid...

INTRODUCTION Constipation is a distressing side effect of opioid treatment, being so irksome in some cases that patients would rather suffer the pain than the side effect of opioid analgesics. Stool softeners or stimulating laxatives are often ineffective or even aggravate the situation. A new efficacious and safe drug is needed to limit the frequently observed side effects induced by effective...

Background: Withdrawal syndrome may influence patient's motivation for participation in addiction treatment programs. Management of the symptoms can improve the success rate of addiction treatment programs. In the present study, we have evaluated the efficiency of an herbal product as adjunct therapy for alleviation of withdrawal syndrome in opium abuse. Methods: In the present clinical trial, ...