Emerging Role of Fentanyl in Antiplatelet Therapy

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2020 Sep;76(3):267-275. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000880.

Abstract

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid used to alleviate severe and chronic pain, as well as an adjunct to general or local anesthesia. Although fentanyl has been used for decades, its full effects are still unknown. Its analgesic and anesthetic activity arises from the stimulation of μ-opioid receptors, resulting in the inhibition of adenyl cyclase and downregulation of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP), as well as decreased calcium channel activity and increased potassium channel activity. The μ-opioid receptors are abundantly distributed within the central nervous system, where they mediate analgesia, and in the nerve cells of the intestines, where they regulate gastrointestinal tract motility in the secretion or transport of fluids and electrolytes. They are also expressed in blood cells, blood vessel cells, and skin. Given the widespread distribution of μ-opioid receptors, it is likely that fentanyl may also regulate the activity of many other cells, including platelets. Recent findings indicate that it may impair the action of ticagrelor: an oral P2Y12 receptor inhibitor acting as an antiplatelet drug. It could pose a risk of insufficient platelet inhibition and result in thrombotic complications in patients with coronary artery disease. This article tackles the issue of fentanyl interactions with antiplatelet drugs. The mechanism of this phenomenon is not fully understood. Similarly, the biological effects exerted by fentanyl on platelets and the presence of opioid receptors on the platelet surface remain an open question.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / adverse effects
  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacokinetics
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects*
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Drug Interactions
  • Fentanyl / adverse effects
  • Fentanyl / pharmacokinetics
  • Fentanyl / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Patient Safety
  • Platelet Aggregation / drug effects*
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists / pharmacokinetics
  • Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / agonists*
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / metabolism
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Fentanyl