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Previous Volume 358:2400-2402 May 29, 2008 Number 22 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Opioid analgesics generate numerous side effects that complicate their use in postoperative care,¹ in the treatment of sickle cell vaso-occlusive episodes, and in the treatment of pain associated with advanced cancer and other life-shortening illnesses.² These side effects include sedation, respiratory depression, impaired cognition, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, pruritus, urinary retention, impaired orthostatic tolerance, and (perhaps most commonly of all) ileus and constipation. The therapies that are typically used for opioid side effects are rarely evidence-based and are often ineffective.²

In this issue of the Journal, Thomas et al.³ describe the results of a multicenter trial of methylnaltrexone . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Source Information

From the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (C.B.) and the Center for Motility and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (S.N.), Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston; and the Departments of Anaesthesia (C.B.) and Pediatrics (C.B., S.N.), Harvard Medical School — all in Boston.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• (2008). Peripheral Opioid Antagonist for Opioid-Induced Constipation. JWatch General 2008: 1-1 [Full Text]