Opioid-induced hyperalgesia: abnormal or normal pain?
G Simonnet, C Rivat - Neuroreport, 2003 - journals.lww.com
INTRODUCTION It is well recognized that opioids are the analgesics of choice for the
treatment of moderate to severe pain. However, a large number of clinical studies have
reported that opioids can unexpectedly elicit hyperalgesia (enhanced responses to noxious
stimulation) and allodynia (pain elicited by normal innocuous stimuli)[1–8]. Opioid-induced
hyperalgesia has also been reported in animal experimental models [9–17]. This pain
hypersensitivity has been classified as abnormal pain [16, 18] as opposed to physiological …
treatment of moderate to severe pain. However, a large number of clinical studies have
reported that opioids can unexpectedly elicit hyperalgesia (enhanced responses to noxious
stimulation) and allodynia (pain elicited by normal innocuous stimuli)[1–8]. Opioid-induced
hyperalgesia has also been reported in animal experimental models [9–17]. This pain
hypersensitivity has been classified as abnormal pain [16, 18] as opposed to physiological …
