Life-Threatening Opioid Toxicity

Abstract

Opioids (natural and synthetic drugs with morphine-like actions) produce their primary toxic effects through an interaction with highly complex and integrated receptors in the central nervous system. This clinically results in miosis, altered mental status (ranging from clouding of consciousness to coma), and most importantly, ventilatory depression. The direct toxic effects of opiate drugs are readily reversible with the opioid antagonist naloxone. However, in the management of life- threatening opioid toxicity problems that frequently complicate an individual patient's management and hence require careful consideration and appropriate therapeutic intervention include: no intravenous access, incomplete response to the maximum dose to naloxone, and naloxone-induced opioid withdrawal syndrome. Keywords: Endorphin; Opioid intoxication; Respiratory diseases.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADA183497

Entities

People

  • John D. O'benar
  • William H. Bickell

Organizations

  • Letterman Army Hospital

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analgesia
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Drug Abuse
  • Drug Addiction
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Opioids
  • Pharmacology
  • Therapy

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse Science in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology