Textbook Chpt. 11 Opioids

The body's decreasing response to an opioid over time, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect.

The process where the body becomes more sensitive to an opioid's effects, even with lower doses, often leading to amplified pain.

The physiological changes that occur when an opioid is stopped, resulting in unpleasant symptoms.

The primary receptor responsible for opioid's analgesic (pain-relieving) effects, also contributing to tolerance.

The process where opioid receptors are removed from the cell membrane, reducing their effectiveness.

A receptor subtype involved in opioid's effects, but its role in tolerance is less clear.

The receptor type that helps regulate pain but its role in tolerance is still being studied.

Specific enzymes involved in breaking down opioids in the body.

Methadone maintenance programs require consistent visits to a clinic, often daily.

Methadone's unique property of not requiring dose increases due to tolerance is linked to its ability to block NMDA receptors.

Methadone treatment involves a gradual increase in dosage over several weeks to reach a level that alleviates withdrawal symptoms.

Methadone maintenance programs prioritize building trusting relationships between patients and staff, which is crucial for success.

Methadone's prolonged duration of action helps patients avoid the constant need to seek out the illicit drug.

Methadone treatment can lead to uncomfortable side effects, such as excessive sweating, sexual dysfunction, and constipation.

Methadone is used in a controlled setting to help heroin addicts manage their addiction and avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Gradually reducing methadone dosage over several months helps minimize withdrawal symptoms when a patient chooses to discontinue the drug.

Methadone treatment can help patients transition to a more normal lifestyle, encouraging them to seek further treatment and address underlying issues.

Methadone treatment, despite its benefits, faces challenges, such as stigma and restrictions in areas like insurance, licensing, and housing.

The process of helping an addict overcome physical opioid dependence by managing withdrawal symptoms.

A method of detoxification that involves immediately stopping opioid use or administering opioid antagonists to block receptors.

Opioid antagonists like naltrexone or naloxone that displace opioid molecules from receptors, causing rapid withdrawal.

A less immediate detoxification method that gradually reduces the opioid dose over time.

The understanding that chronic opioid use alters the brain long-term, exceeding the effects of immediate withdrawal symptoms.

The phenomenon where repeated opioid use leads to increased pain sensitivity, even with lower doses.

A short-acting synthetic opioid that can cause hyperalgesia (increased pain sensitivity) even in people without prior opioid exposure.

A key neurotransmitter involved in pain signaling and can be affected by prolonged opioid use, contributing to opioid-induced hyperalgesia.

A receptor in the nervous system that can be affected by prolonged opioid use, ultimately contributing to the development of hyperalgesia.

The process by which the body eliminates opioids, breaking them down into inactive metabolites. This can vary greatly depending on the specific opioid.

The reduction in the number of opioid receptors on the cell surface, contributing to tolerance.

The different fates of internalized opioid receptors. Some are recycled back to the surface, restoring their function, while others are degraded, reducing receptor availability.

The tendency of μ receptors to be preferentially recycled back to the cell surface, contributing to a recovery in opioid signaling and a decrease in tolerance.

The tendency of δ receptors to be preferentially degraded after internalization, leading to a significant increase in opioid tolerance.

The ability of different opioids to cause varying degrees of receptor internalization, explaining why some opioids can lead to faster tolerance development than others.

The strategy of switching between different opioid medications to manage chronic pain, potentially delaying or minimizing tolerance development.

The phenomenon where tolerance to one opioid can extend to other opioids, making dose estimation for switching medication challenging.

The potentially dangerous consequence of miscalculating opioid dosage during medication switching, leading to overdose.