title: Opioids: overview on action, interaction and toxicity.
abstract: The history of opioid use in briefly reviewed, and the presently accepted indications are discussed with reference to dosage, modes of administration, efficacy, duration of effect and speed of onset, and possible side effects. Physicians' fears about dependence and addiction are also touched upon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lehmann
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018579:Patient Selection; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid