title: Definition of and mechanism for opioid-induced sedation.
abstract: Although sedation is acknowledged to be one of the most common side effects of opioid analgesics, the mechanisms and characteristics of this phenomenon remain elusive, and research in this area is extremely limited. This report integrates research findings on the mechanism of action of opioids with research findings on the phenomenon of consciousness to develop a model of how opioids may act in the central nervous system to produce sedation. Based on this integration, a definition of opioid-induced sedation is proposed to encourage dialogue and research on this perplexing and clinically significant phenomenon.
authors.affiliation: Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, 1077 Patchel St, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5024, USA. stacey.young-mccaughan@det.amedd.army.mil
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Young-McCaughan
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miaskowski
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D003243:Consciousness / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines