Relative Addictive Potential of Opioid Analgesic Agents

Abstract

Opioid overdoses and deaths continue to be a problem in the USA with a significant portion related to prescribed opioid analgesic agents. The role of pharmacogentic factors in opioid addiction is an active area of research. While all opioid analgesic agents have some addictive potential, it is clear that there are some with greater addictive potential. Oxycodone is the most widely abused opioid analgesic and it appears to predispose to chronic use with high likability by users. Fentanyl and hydromorphone are both very lipophilic allowing rapid penetration into the CNS, but are not rated as highly as other agents. Providers should consider the risk of addiction with the opioids they prescribe and give those with a lower addictive potential.

Keywords::

• addiction
• addictive potential
• dependence
• opioid pain relievers
• opioid use disorder
• pharmacogenetics

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This research was supported in part by HCA Healthcare and/or an HCA Healthcare affiliated entity. The views expressed in this presentation represent those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of HCA Healthcare or any of its affiliated entities. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported in part by HCA Healthcare and/or an HCA Healthcare affiliated entity. The views expressed in this presentation represent those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of HCA Healthcare or any of its affiliated entities. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.