Opioids: The Painful Public Health Reality

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2018 Jun;103(6):924-935. doi: 10.1002/cpt.1074.

Abstract

The analgesic, sedative, antidepressant, euphoriant, intoxicating, and addictive properties of opium and its synthetic derivatives are well known and have been known for centuries. Hence, the current major public health problems due to excessive availability should be no surprise. What is unprecedented in the United States, and emerging elsewhere, is the extent of the profound consequences and complexity of addressing this public health crisis.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Introductory Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abuse-Deterrent Formulations / methods
  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology
  • Analgesics, Opioid / supply & distribution*
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Pain / drug therapy
  • Comorbidity
  • Drug Discovery / organization & administration
  • Drug Overdose / epidemiology*
  • Drug and Narcotic Control / organization & administration
  • Guideline Adherence
  • Health Personnel / education
  • Humans
  • Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / therapy
  • Opioid-Related Disorders
  • Pharmacogenomic Testing / methods
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Public Health
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Abuse-Deterrent Formulations
  • Analgesics, Opioid

Grants and funding