Highlights in opioid agonists and antagonists

Abstract

This review highlights new insights in to opioid agonists and antagonists, focusing on their mechanism of action with spinal and systemic administration, chronic use and main adverse effects. Short-cuts on some opioid agonists and antagonists of clinical interest are also presented, revealing potential clinical implications and future clinical directions as part of multimodal analgesia.

Keywords::

• agonists
• antagonists
• mechanism of action
• opioids
• pain control
• review