Opioid analgesics: Managing the predictable

It is imperative for clinicians to understand the common adverse effects of opioid therapy and ensure patients are properly counselled on them prior to opioid initiation. Predictable adverse effects are wide ranging, and include bowel dysfunction, nausea, sedation, endocrinopathy and pruritis. Many...

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Main Authors: A Barnes, G Heppenstall-Harris, A Dickman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Clinical Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S147021182500048X
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author A Barnes
G Heppenstall-Harris
A Dickman
author_facet A Barnes
G Heppenstall-Harris
A Dickman
author_sort A Barnes
collection DOAJ
description It is imperative for clinicians to understand the common adverse effects of opioid therapy and ensure patients are properly counselled on them prior to opioid initiation. Predictable adverse effects are wide ranging, and include bowel dysfunction, nausea, sedation, endocrinopathy and pruritis. Many adverse effects (with the notable exception of constipation) improve with time; however, patients should undergo regular re-assessment to identify new or evolving symptoms. Opioid rotation can also be a useful therapeutic tool to mitigate intolerable opioid adverse effects. This article aims to provide a succinct review of important adverse effects and effective management techniques to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1470-2118
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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series Clinical Medicine
spelling doaj-art-fd58acae52634c038e9515b82e89809f2025-08-20T03:59:37ZengElsevierClinical Medicine1470-21182025-07-0125410033010.1016/j.clinme.2025.100330Opioid analgesics: Managing the predictableA Barnes0G Heppenstall-Harris1A Dickman2Woodlands Hospice, Liverpool University Hospital Foundation Trust (LUHFT), Liverpool, UK; Corresponding author.Liverpool University Hospital Foundation Trust (LUHFT), Liverpool, UKSpecialist Palliative Care Services, Liverpool University Hospital Foundation Trust (LUHFT), Liverpool, UKIt is imperative for clinicians to understand the common adverse effects of opioid therapy and ensure patients are properly counselled on them prior to opioid initiation. Predictable adverse effects are wide ranging, and include bowel dysfunction, nausea, sedation, endocrinopathy and pruritis. Many adverse effects (with the notable exception of constipation) improve with time; however, patients should undergo regular re-assessment to identify new or evolving symptoms. Opioid rotation can also be a useful therapeutic tool to mitigate intolerable opioid adverse effects. This article aims to provide a succinct review of important adverse effects and effective management techniques to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S147021182500048XOpioidsAnalgesiaMorphineNauseaConstipationSedation
spellingShingle A Barnes
G Heppenstall-Harris
A Dickman
Opioid analgesics: Managing the predictable
Clinical Medicine
Opioids
Analgesia
Morphine
Nausea
Constipation
Sedation
title Opioid analgesics: Managing the predictable
title_full Opioid analgesics: Managing the predictable
title_fullStr Opioid analgesics: Managing the predictable
title_full_unstemmed Opioid analgesics: Managing the predictable
title_short Opioid analgesics: Managing the predictable
title_sort opioid analgesics managing the predictable
topic Opioids
Analgesia
Morphine
Nausea
Constipation
Sedation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S147021182500048X
work_keys_str_mv AT abarnes opioidanalgesicsmanagingthepredictable
AT gheppenstallharris opioidanalgesicsmanagingthepredictable
AT adickman opioidanalgesicsmanagingthepredictable