Old’ narcotics may fight pain, reduce side effects
Researchers at the University of California at San Francisco have found that a certain combination of kappa-opioids — once thought ineffective — have fewer side effects and less potential for abuse in relieving moderate to severe pain. Current narcotics used to treat pain, such as morphine and fentanyl, are associated with side effects, and patients have a risk of becoming addicted.
Researchers led by Jon D. Levine, MD, found that nalbuphine and naloxone given in combination relieved pain in both men and women. Nalbuphine given in low doses actually increased pain in men and had no effect on pain in women. The study, involving 56 patients undergoing dental surgery, was published in the June 14, 2000, issue of the journal Pain.
The research adds to previous research into gender differences in pain and response to medication, notes Levine. "I think the kappa-opioid analgesics currently available have two mechanisms of action, one that decreases pain, and one that makes it worse," he says.
Researchers will next find out who can benefit the most from the drug combination. "There are a lot of other pain syndromes in which we would like to test this therapy. We want to figure out the exact mechanism for the pain enhancing component of the effect of kappa-opiates that appears to be much greater in males," explains Levine.
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