Articles: narcotic-antagonists.
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This article uses a case study to demonstrate the proper use of Narcan (naloxone hydrochloride injection, USP) for the reversal of the effects of opiates which can occur during moderate or "conscious" sedation for procedures in the endoscopy setting. Alternative treatments for the sedation, hypotension, and respiratory depression are discussed, as are instructions and rationale for partial reversal. Guidelines to ensure patient safety are also presented.
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Comparative Study
Ultra-low dose naltrexone potentiates the anticonvulsant effect of low dose morphine on clonic seizures.
Significant potentiation of analgesic effects of opioids can be achieved through selective blockade of their stimulatory effects on intracellular signaling pathways by ultra-low doses of opioid receptor antagonists. However, the generality and specificity of this interaction is not well understood. The bimodal modulation of pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure threshold by opioids provide a model to assess the potential usefulness of this approach in seizure disorders and to examine the differential mechanisms involved in opioid anti- (morphine at 0.5-3 mg/kg) versus pro-convulsant (20-100 mg/kg) effects. ⋯ However, ultra-low dose naltrexone could not increase the maximal anticonvulsant effect of morphine (1-3 mg/kg), possibly due to a ceiling effect. The proconvulsant effects of morphine on seizure threshold were minimally altered by ultra-low doses of naltrexone while being completely blocked by a higher dose (1 mg/kg) of the antagonist. The present data suggest that ultra-low doses of opioid receptor antagonists may provide a potent strategy to modulate seizure susceptibility, especially in conjunction with very low doses of opioids.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 2004
ReviewAre peripheral opioid antagonists the solution to opioid side effects?
Opioid medication is the mainstay of therapy for severe acute and chronic pain. Unfortunately, the side effects of these medications can affect patient comfort and safety, thus limiting their proven therapeutic potential. Whereas the main analgesic effects of opioids are centrally mediated, many of the common side effects are mediated via peripheral receptors. Novel peripheral opioid antagonists have been recently introduced that can block the peripheral actions of opioids without affecting centrally mediated analgesia. We review the clinical and experimental evidence of their efficacy in ameliorating opioid side effects and consider what further information might be useful in defining their role. ⋯ The major analgesic effects of opioid medication are mediated within the brain and spinal cord. Many of the side effects of opioids are caused by activation of receptors outside these areas. Recently developed peripherally restricted opioid antagonists have the ability to block many opioid side effects without affecting analgesia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Naltrexone for alcohol-dependent patients.
Clinical trials have shown that naltrexone 50 mg/day reduces alcohol consumption and relapse rates in alcohol dependents. ⋯ The results support the efficacy and safety of naltrexone for outpatient treatment of alcohol-dependent individuals in Iran.
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Southern medical journal · Jan 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialSex differences in analgesia: a randomized trial of mu versus kappa opioid agonists.
We sought to evaluate whether there is a sex difference in the analgesic response to mu versus kappa opioids in the management of acute moderate to severe pain of injury in the emergency department. ⋯ Females had better pain scores with butorphanol than morphine at 60 minutes.