Opioid Induced Hyperalgesia

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What is Opioid Induced Hyperalgesia?

Opioids are a class of drugs commonly used to treat moderate to severe pain. They can be used over prolonged periods to relieve chronic pain. Opioid induced hyperalgesia is a clinical picture which involves increasing pain in patients who are receiving increasing doses of opioids. Opioids are substances such as opium, morphine, heroin, codeine and methadone.

Who gets Opioid Induced Hyperalgesia?

Opioid induced hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain) occurs in many different patients, depending on the dose given and the pattern of administration. Most work has reported opioid induced hyperalgesia if you are receiving continuing treatment with opioids or stop taking opioids.

Predisposing Factors

If you are taking high doses of opioids, you may be more likely to experience increasing pain and sensitivity.
If you have medical conditions such as kidney failure or liver failure, the effects of opioid medications may be affected. Opioid drugs are broken down by the liver and excreted by the kidney. One of the after products of morphine is much more potent than morphine itself. It is undecided whether a build up of this after product is linked to being more sensitive to pain.
When you are on opioids and suddenly stop taking the medication, evidence has shown that hyperalgesia has been one of the many symptoms associated with stopping opioid medications.

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