The Pharmacology of Spinal Opioids and Ziconotide for the Treatment of Non-Cancer Pain

Title:The Pharmacology of Spinal Opioids and Ziconotide for the Treatment of Non-Cancer Pain

Volume: 15 Issue: 2

Author(s): J. E. Pope, T. R. Deer, K. Amirdelfan, W. P. McRoberts and N. Azeem

Affiliation:

Keywords: Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, morphine, dilaudid, hydromorphone, fentanyl, sufentanil, intrathecal therapy, ziconotide, prialt.

Abstract: Background: Intrathecal drug delivery has undergone a revitalization following a better understanding of this delivery route and its pharmacokinetics. Driven by patient safety and outcomes, clinicians are motivated to rethink the traditional spinal infusion pump patient selection criteria and indications. We review the current understanding of the pharmacology of commonly employed intrathecal agents and the clinical relevance.

Methods: Search strategies for data acquisition included Medline database, PubMed, Google scholar, along with international and national professional meeting content, with key words including pharmacology of opioids, intrathecal therapy, ziconotide, pharmacokinetics, and intrathecal drug delivery. The search results were limited to the English language.

Results: Over 300 papers were identified. The literature was condensed and digested to evaluate the most commonly used medications in practice, sto serve as a foundation for review. We review on-label medications: ziconotide and morphine, and off label medications including fentanyl, sufentail, and hydromorphine.

Conclusion: Intrathecal therapy has level-one evidence for use for malignant pain and nonmalignant pain, with continued cost savings and improved safety. To most effectively serve our patients, a clear appreciation for the pharmacology of these commonly employed medication is paramount.

Cite this article as:

Pope E. J., Deer R. T., Amirdelfan K., McRoberts P. W. and Azeem N., The Pharmacology of Spinal Opioids and Ziconotide for the Treatment of Non-Cancer Pain, Current Neuropharmacology 2017; 15 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X14666160210142339

DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X14666160210142339	Print ISSN 1570-159X
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher	Online ISSN 1875-6190