Given the mounting evidence for involvement of delta opioid receptors in the tolerance and physical dependence of mu opioid receptor agonists, we have investigated the possible physical interaction between mu and delta opioid receptors by using bivalent ligands. Based on reports of suppression of antinociceptive tolerance by the delta antagonist naltrindole (NTI), bivalent ligands [mu-delta ago...

Oxymorphone is a semisynthetic extended release opiate used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain. The Food and Drug Administration approved the oral form of oxymorphone available as Opana and Opana ER (extended release) since 2006. The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued warning against intravenous use of Opana ER. We are presenting a case ...

Male rats are more sensitive to the antinociceptive effects of morphine than female rats. This difference is seen across several rat strains using a variety of nociceptive stimuli. However, the literature in regard to sex differences in antinociceptive responses to mu-opioids other than morphine is less consistent. The present study was designed to examine whether there is a structure-activity ...

BACKGROUND The impact of polymorphic cytochrome P450 CYP2D6 enzyme on oxycodone's metabolism and clinical efficacy is currently being discussed. However, there are only spare data from postoperative settings. The hypothesis of this study is that genotype dependent CYP2D6 activity influences plasma concentrations of oxycodone and its metabolites and impacts analgesic consumption. METHODS Patie...

Evidence is presented from more than 300 subjects to show that promethazine potentiates the action of six different narcotics (morphine, pethidine, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, fentanyl and pentazocine). In each instance there was prolongation rather than deepening of the narcotic action. Such an effect is consistent with the known membrane-stabilizing action of promethazine and is likely to occ...

Infusion rates for atracurium were calculated from multiple bolus injection data for normothermic (38 degrees C; n = 4) and hyperthermic (42 degrees C; n = 14) dogs anesthetized with thiopental and oxymorphone while undergoing whole-body hyperthermia treatment. The calculated infusion rate for atracurium at 38 degrees C was 6.2 +/- 0.3 micrograms/kg/min and the calculated infusion rate at 42 de...