Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Pain as a complication of use of opiate antagonists for symptom control in cholestasis

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Martin Prince, Dr Mark Hudson, Professor Chris Day, Emeritus Professor Oliver James, Professor David Jones

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

Controlled trials have suggested that opiate antagonist therapy may be effective for the treatment of the symptoms of cholestasis. The oral opiate antagonist naltrexone in particular has started to enter into routine clinical use for amelioration of cholestatic itch. Attention regarding the side effects of opiate antagonist therapy has, to date, largely focused on an opiate withdrawal-type reaction (which can be controlled effectively by titrated therapy introduction regimens). Here we describe 3 cases of a further clinically important side effect, loss of control of pain resulting from other pathologies, which in each case necessitated the withdrawal of hitherto clinically effective opiate antagonist therapy. Of the 14 patients treated by our unit with opiate antagonist agents for the control of cholestatic symptoms, 13 (93%) showed resolution of, or significant improvement in, symptoms. Of the 13 patients showing a clinical response, 7 (54%) subsequently had to discontinue therapy because of side effects (including the 3 patients with uncontrolled pain). It is our experience that in the routine clinical setting, opiate antagonists are highly effective for the treatment of cholestatic symptoms. In practice, however, their usefulness is limited by their side-effect profile.


Publication metadata

Author(s): McRae CA, Prince MI, Hudson M, Day CP, James OFW, Jones DEJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Gastroenterology

Year: 2003

Volume: 125

Issue: 2

Pages: 591-596

ISSN (print): 0016-5085

ISSN (electronic): 1528-0012

Publisher: WB Saunders Co.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0016-5085(03)00879-5

DOI: 10.1016/S0016-5085(03)00879-5

PubMed id: 12891561


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Share