Until recently, many experts had assumed that itching from opioids was unavoidable because it is a common side effect of drugs that interact with the nervous system. The brain has four main types of receptors that respond to opioids, and every type has many structural variants, called isoforms. Most opioids are nonspecific, which means they bind to all the isoforms. This leads to powerful pain relief, although scientists do not know exactly why. Louis showed that only one opioid receptor isoform is responsible for itching—and it is not involved in pain.
Mice bred to have fewer of these particular receptors did not scratch themselves when given an opioid, but they did exhibit the telltale mouse signs of pain relief, such as less flinching when researchers flicked their tails. Now that scientists know that pain relief and itching can be decoupled, they will try to make itch-free opioid drugs a reality.
Already a subscriber? In some cases, an individual will continue to take an opiate medication despite the presence of uncomfortable physical side effects like itchy skin. If this is the case, it might be because an opioid abuse disorder is present. If you believe that you or someone you love has been struggling with an opiate abuse disorder, there are several telltale symptoms to keep an eye out for, including:. If you believe that you or someone you love has been struggling with an opiate abuse disorder, reaching out for professional help is always a necessity.
Opiate addiction is a cunning, baffling, and powerful disease, and it is one that cannot be effectively overcome without help. At Garden State Treatment Center we provide men and women of all ages throughout New Jersey and all surrounding areas with a comprehensive program of opiate addiction recovery.
For more information on a recovery program, please feel free to reach out to us today. Medical Disclaimer The content of this website such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the website are for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. In the event of a medical emergency, call a doctor or immediately. In recent years, Washington University researchers have identified a pathway in the spinal cord that transmits itch signals to the brain. Previously, many scientists thought of itch as a somewhat muted sensation of pain.
One reason that idea took hold is that when patients take drugs to relieve pain, itching often is a side effect. Now, studying itching induced by pain-killing drugs, the team of researchers has found that a different receptor is responsible for causing itch than for alleviating pain. In mice treated with morphine, the investigators were able to eliminate itching without affecting pain relief.
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