title: Opioid analgesics.
abstract: This article discusses recent developments in opioid pharmacology. Selective activity at different opioid receptors promises, but has not yet provided, a strong analgesic without opioid side-effects. The startling pharmacokinetic profile of the new esterase-metabolized intravenous opioid, remifentanil, is reflected in the rapid onset of effect and short, predictable recovery, independent of duration of infusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rushton
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sneyd
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D008621:Meptazinol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009020:Morphine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009266:Nalbuphine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000819:agonists; D000077208:Remifentanil; D014147:Tramadol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D010880:Piperidines; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D008621:Meptazinol; D014147:Tramadol; D009020:Morphine; D009266:Nalbuphine; D000077208:Remifentanil