Desired Effect: Pain relief

MOA

• Act on receptors in the CNS and GIT producing analgesia, respiratory depression, sedation and constipation. They act mainly at mu-opioid receptors in the CNS, reducing transmission of the pain impulse, and by modulating the descending inhibitory pathways from the brain. Cough suppression occurs in the medullary centre of the brain.

Indication: acute or chronic pain

Contraindication/precaution

Precautions:

• Taking drugs that cause CNS & respiratory depression. i.e. Benzodiazepines.
• Alcohol
• Ileus
• Obstructive airway diseases.
• Pregnancy and breast feeding.

Dose/Route/Frequency

• Oral, IV, IM, SC, epidural, intrathecal, patch, intranasal.
• Dose and frequency vary.