Pain 3 Flashcards
Differentiate opioids and opiates.
opioids: synthetic and semi-synthetic
-opiates
-oxycodone
-hydrocodone
-fentanyl
opiates: naturally derived from poppy seed
-opium
-codeine
-morphine
-heroin
all opiates are opioids but not vice versa
What are the main opioid receptor subtypes?
mu:
-analgesia, euphoria, physical dependence, respiratory depression, reduced GI motility (constipation), sedation
delta:
-analgesia, euphoria, physical dependence
kappa:
-analgesia, sedation, mood, does NOT contribute to physical dependence
What is the MOA of opioids?
bind to opioid receptors on the presynaptic primary afferent neuron to decrease Ca influx and decrease neurotransmitter release
-binding to opioid receptors in the CNS and PNS, suppressing neuronal firing from the presynaptic neuron and also inhibition of postsynaptic nerves in some areas, which alters transmission and perception of pain
-working in the brain and nerves to quiet and slow down pain signals, making it feel like there is less pain
What are the “big 5” of opioids?
morphine
codeine
hydromorphone
oxycodone
fentanyl
What are the indications for opioids?
symptomatic treatment of severe acute pain associated with surgery or medical conditions such as trauma, MI
symptomatic treatment of chronic and/or terminal cancer pain
management of dyspnea associated with respiratory secretions in patients chronic lung disease or terminal cancer
antitussive? (codeine)
opioid use disorder
What is the usual starting doses of opioids for use in acute pain?
codeine IR: 15-30mg q4h prn
morphine IR: 5-10mg q4h prn
hydromorphone IR: 1-2mg q4-6prn
tramadol IR: 50mg q4-6prn
What is the recommended dose and duration of opioids in acute pain?
lowest dose (should not exceed > 50 MEQ)
shortest duration
What are some basic considerations with opioid use in acute pain?
use with acetaminophen/NSAIDs
use with non-pharm strategies
lowest dose, shortest period
avoid driving & concurrent CNS depressants
What are the advantages of opioid use in chronic non-cancer pain?
potent analgesic effects
fast onset
relatively low risk of major organ toxicity
What are the disadvantages of opioid use in chronic non-cancer pain?
++ adverse effects
risk of diversion (community safety implications)
tolerance –> withdrawal mediated pain, escalating doses
long term evidence of benefit (>3mo) is lacking
What is the key takeaway from the SPACE trial?
opioids are not better for chronic back pain or knee OA
Differentiate between a strong and weak recommendation according to the Canadian Guidelines for Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain.
strong: all or almost all fully informed pts would choose the recommended course of action
weak: the majority of informed pts would choose the suggested course of action but an appreciable minority would not
What are the recommendations provided from the Canadian Guidelines for Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain?
- when considering therapy: optimize non-opioid pharm and non-pharm (strong)
- without current or past substance use disorder and without psychiatric disorders who have persistent pain despite optimized non-opioid pharm: add a trial of opioids rather than continued therapy (weak)
- with substance use disorder: we recommend against opioids (strong)
- with psychiatric disorder whose non-opioid therapy has been optimized: stabilize disorder before adding opioid (weak)
- history of substance use disorder whose non-opioid therapy has been optimized: continue non-opioid (weak)
6 and 7. who are beginning long term opioid therapy: restrict prescribed dose to < 90 MEQ (strong), restrict starting dose to < 50 MEQ (weak) - currently using opioid and have persistent problematic pain and/or problematic AEs: rotate opioids (weak)
- currently using > 90 MEQ/day: taper opioid to LED, potentially d/c (weak)
- experiencing serious challenge in taper: formal multidisciplinary program (strong)
What is the risk vs benefit of opioids in OA, chronic LBP, and neuropathic pain?
harms exceed the benefits
What are the formulations of opioids?
immediate release (IR)
sustained release (SR)
buccal/sublingual
suppository
transdermal
injection
What is the use of immediate release formulations of opioids?
used for acute pain, breakthrough pain, or when initiating someone on chronic therapy
duration: 4-6h
never fill SR for acute pain
What is the reference opioid?
morphine
-used for conversion factor calculations
How is morphine metabolized?
metabolized into two primary compounds (excreted in urine)
-morphine-6-glucuronide (active analgesic)
-morphine-3-glucuronide (not active as analgesic, CNS stim)
When do we need to be concerned about accumulation of morphines metabolites?
monitor closely or avoid if CrCl < 20-30ml/min
-accumulation of metabolites may lead to toxicity
-monitor for CNS toxicity, if occurs change to alt opioid
-if long-term opioid required, consider alt in pts with CKD
What is the potency of codeine?
much less potent than morphine
-MEQ=0.15
What is special about codeine?
it is a prodrug converted to morphine in body via CYP 2D6
-conversion required for analgesic effect
What is the significance of CYP 2D6 converting codeine to morphine?
~10% of population is deficient in CYP 2D6=no pain relief
ultra-rapid metabolizers=more AEs
What is a drug interaction of codeine?
agents that inhibit CYP 2D6
-less pain control
What is a caution of codeine?
breastfeeding
-rapid metabolizers –> morphine toxicity risk in infant
What are contraindications to codeine?
< 12 years old, < 18 years old post op tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy
What is codeine often found in combination with?
acetaminophen and caffeine
What is considered the antitussive dose of codeine?
> 15mg q4-6h
How potent is oxycodone?
1.5x more potent than morphine
-MEQ=1.5
How is oxycodone metabolized?
3A4 (major) and 2D6 (minor) to active metabolites
-increased AEs if ultra-rapid metabolizer
Differentiate OxyContin and OxyNeo.
OxyContin: d/c in 2012, route was easily altered
OxyNeo: bioequivalent to OxyContin, different formulation
How potent is hydromorphone?
5 times more potent than morphine
-MEQ: 5
Which opioid is a good option if the patient has renal impairment?
hydromorphone