Opioid medications are used extensively as potent analgesics for treating moderate to severe pain. New understandings of the mechanisms of nociception and opioid pharmacology have advanced the practice of pain management over the past decades. However, concomitant with the ability to relieve pain, these drugs can also have a number of troublesome and potentially serious side effects. These side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, pruritus, sedation, tolerance, dependence, delirium problems, and respiratory depression. Modern understandings of opioid pharmacology have shown that such side effects are mediated primarily by opioid receptors located outside the central nervous system. It would be desirable, therefore, to have a new class of compounds to selectively block peripheral opioid receptors and thus reduce the occurrence of side effects. Two peripherally-acting opioid-receptor antagonists, methylnaltrexone and alvimopan, are currently in late stages of development and show potential in minimizing opioid-induced side effects while maintaining centrally-mediated analgesia.

This activity will increase awareness of new understandings regarding the mechanism of action of opioids and opioid-induced side effects, the impact of opioid-related side effects on quality of life and the importance of appropriate management, and novel agents under development that can help address opioid-induced side effects. Evidence-based strategies to appropriately manage pain and related side effects will also be discussed and explored.

Specialty Options:

Anesthesiology
Credit Hours	Credit Type
1.5	AMA PRA
2.0	CNE

 

Pain Management
Credit Hours	Credit Type
1.5	AMA PRA
2.0	CNE

This continuing medical education activity is provided by the Bimark Center for Medical Education (BCME).

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Wyeth.