• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.115-122
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• 1983

The influences of diazepam and naloxone on the increase of plasma corticosterone level induced by morphine, pentazocine, ACTH, or picrotoxin were investigated in male mice. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1) The increase induced by morphine or pentazocine of plasma corticosterone level was not affected by naloxone pretreatment but markedly suppressed by diazepam pretreatment. 2) The increase induced by ACTH of plasma corticosterone level was not affected by diazepam or naloxone pretreatment. 3) The picrotoxin markedly increased plasma corticosterone level, and the inceease was not affected by diazepam or naloxone pretreatment. This above results suggest that the increase induced by opioids of plasma corticosterone level seems to be rather related with other than opiate- or GABArerecptor.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.66-70
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• 2008

Opioid-induced rigidity is a potentially life-threatening complication that can occur after treatment with large doses of opioids, but with early recognition it can be treated effectively with naloxone or with muscle relaxants. Regarding its onset time, there have been few case reports that have described delayed manifestations of opioid-induced rigidity. The mechanism of this complication is not well understood. In this report we describe a case of incidental overdose injection of sufentanil and subsequently review the confusing clinical features that require immediate diffenrentiation and the possible mechanim of this complication.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.304-308
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• 1994

Among the new series of phenylacetamides, one of capsaicin derivatives, KR-25018 was found to have a very potent analgesic activity. Thus, the phamacological properties of KR-25018 were compared with those of morphine, capsaicin, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The analgesic activities were evaluated in several animal models, using different stimuli, such as phenylbenzoquinone(PBQ)-induced weithing test, tail-filck test in mice and adjuvant arthritic flexion test in rat. The relationship of phamacological properties of KR-25018 to that of centrally acting opioids was assessed by the blocking test using naloxone. The analgesic potency of the KR-25018 $(MPED_{50}=0.89{\;}p.o.{\;}in{\;}PBQ-induced{\;}weithing{\;}test, {\;}MPED_{50}$=0.61$ s.c. in tail-flick test in mice0, with different action mechanism from morphine and NSAIDs, was comparable to that of morphine.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.237-238
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• 2008

Myoclonus is a rare side effect of gabapentin (GBP) and has been reported in patients with preexisting myoclonus, mental retardation, chronic static encephalopathy, diffuse brain damage, impaired renal function, or end stage renal disease. We report a case of myoclonus in a patient with normal renal function and no previous disorders. A 69-year-old female underwent diskectomy and foraminotomy at the left L4-L5 level. Post-operatively, she complained of paresthesia in her left leg, which was thought to be due to root manipulation during surgery. To relieve the paresthesia, she was given tramadol, an oral opioid agonist, and GBP. One week after GBP was increased to 900 mg per day, myoclonus developed, which severely impaired her normal activity. Her symptoms resolved 2 days after discontinuation of GBP. The coadministration of tramadol and GBP may mutually enhance the myoclonic potential of each drug. The causal relationship between GBP and myoclonus was suggested by cessation of myoclonus after GBP discontinuation despite continued therapy with tramadol.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2015

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a transient disease caused by the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) in spinal or cranial sensory ganglia. It is characterized by a painful rash in the affected dermatome. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most troublesome side effect associated with HZ. However, PHN is often resistant to current analgesic treatments such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioids, and topical agents including lidocaine patches and capsaicin cream and can persist for several years. The risk factors for reactivation of HZ include advanced age and compromised cell-mediated immunity (CMI). Early diagnosis and treatment with antiviral agents plus intervention treatments is believed to shorten the duration and severity of acute HZ and reduce the risk of PHN. Prophylactic vaccination against VZV can be the best option to prevent or reduce the incidence of HZ and PHN. This review focuses on the pathophysiology, clinical features, and management of HZ and PHN, as well as the efficacy of the HZ vaccine.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.386-389
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• 1995

Combined infusion of local anesthetics and opioids has been a common method for providing postoperative analgesia. Complications that can occur with this method include pruritus, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, hypotension, and both early and late respiratory depression. Late respiratory depression is a rare but feared complication to epidural opioid therapy. We experienced a case of respiratory arrest during epidural infusion of bupivacaine and morphine.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2008

Periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) are best described as repetitive stereotypical movements of the lower extremities characterized by dorsiflexion of the ankle, dorsiflexion of the toes and a partial flexion of the knee and sometimes the hip. The prevalence of PLMS is about 5-11% in adults and is predicted much higher than previously surveyed. They are also frequently found in various sleep disorders, several disorders not primarily affecting sleep, and patients taking psychiatric medications. Although they are rarely found in children, they are common findings in children referred to a pediatric sleep laboratory. The pathophysiology is strongly associated with decline of central dopaminergic function and closely related to arousal system during sleep. Benzodiazepines, levodopa, dopamine agonists and opioids are generally recommended for treatment but more controlled studies on the effectiveness are needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.126-129
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• 2012

Opioid analgesia is the primary pharmacologic intervention for managing pain. However, opioids can cause various adverse effects including pruritus, nausea, constipation, and sedation. Respiratory depression is the most fatal side effect. Therefore, cautious monitoring of respiratory status must be done after opioid administration. Here, we report a patient who suffered from respiratory depression with deep sedation and aspiration pneumonitis after intrathecal morphine administration.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.161-166
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• 2013

Dexmedetomidine is a potent alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, more selective than clonidine, with widespread actions on the mammalian brain. A large body of recent work supports its analgesia and sympatholytic properties. Dexmedetomidine is a useful medication with many clinical applications. The medication has shown efficacy in decreasing the need for opioids, benzodiazepines, propofol, and other sedative medications. Dexmedetomidine has been used effectively for sedation during invasive procedures and in the ICU. Short-term sedation has been shown to be safe in studies, although hypotension and bradycardia are the most significant side effects. Dexmedetomidine is emerging as an effective therapeutic agent in the management of a wide range of clinical conditions with an efficacious, safe profile.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.22-25
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• 2003

The aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture on myoelectrical activity of inflamed or normal colon in the rat, and whether the effect of acupuncture on colonic motility was related to endogenous opioids. Twenty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Experimental groups were normal group (n = 8), colitis group (n = 6) and naloxone group (n = 8). Stainless steel bipolar electrodes were implanted on the serosal layer of the proximal colon of rats. Colitis was induced 7 days after electrode implantation using trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) and ethanol. Electromyograms (EMG) were recorded by using polygraph 11 days after implantation of electrodes. In normal group, normal colonic motility was recorded for 60 min, and then traditional acupuncture at GV-1 was applied for 20 min and EMG was recorded for further 60 min in untreated rats. In colitis group, after recording of basal colonic motility for 60 min, 20 min of acupuncture treatment and further EMG recording was performed for 60 min in TNBS/ethanol treated rats. In naloxone group, following subcutaneous administration of naloxone (3 mg/kg), recording of EMG and acupuncture treatment were performed in TNBS/ethanol treated rats. In the normal group, acupuncture at GV-1 did not induce significant changes in colonic motility. TNBS/ethanol treatment had no significant effect on the frequency of colonic motility. And in colitis group, GV-1 acupuncture significantly decreased colonic motility (p < 0.01). In naloxone group, after injection of naloxone, acupuncture at GV-1 did not change colonic motility in TNBS/ethanol treated rats. On the inflamed colon, naloxone blocked the effect of acupuncture. The present results suggested that endogenous opioids released by acupuncture at GV-1 decrease the motility of inflamed colon in rats, but not normal colon.