How Do Anilidopiperidine Opioids Work?

Anilidopiperidine opioids are powerful synthetic opioid medications with rapid onset and short duration of action. Anilidopiperidine opioids are used for sedation during surgical procedures and pain relief (analgesia) from intense breakthrough pain. Anilidopiperidine opioids inhibit pain pathways in the central nervous system, increase pain tolerance and reduce pain perception.

Anilidopiperidine opioids are opioid agonists which work by stimulating a type of opioid receptors known as mu-opioid receptors. Opioid receptors are protein molecules on nerve cell (neuron) membranes in the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Opioid receptors mediate the body’s response to most hormones and some of their functions include modulating pain, stress response, respiration, digestion, mood, and emotion. Stimulation of mu-opioid receptors blocks the release of chemicals (neurotransmitters) that transmit pain signals, resulting in rapid analgesia and sedation.

Anilidopiperidine opioids are administered as intravenous injections or transmucosal medications which are available as:

• Sublingual sprays that are sprayed under the tongue
• Lozenges or tablets that are placed inside the cheek to dissolve

Anilidopiperidine opioids are typically used in the following situations:

• Breakthrough pain in cancer
• HIV-associated neuropathy
• Postherpetic neuralgia (a painful complication that occurs after a shingles infection)
• General anesthesia induction and maintenance

Side effects of anilidopiperidine opioids may include the following:

• Asthenia (weakness)
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Somnolence (drowsiness)
• Sweating
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Anorexia (loss of appetite)
• Diarrhea
• Dyspepsia (indigestion)
• Flatulence
• Hiccups
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Influenza-like symptoms
• Back pain
• Fever
• Flushing
• The warmness of face/neck/upper thorax
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Euphoria
• Dysphoria (unease)
• Hallucinations
• Restlessness
• Nervousness
• Abnormal thinking and dreams
• Amnesia (memory loss)
• Agitation
• Mental clouding
• Paranoid reaction
• Speech disorder
• Visual disturbances
• Blurred vision
• Paresthesia (prickling sensation)
• Tremor
• Skeletal muscle movements
• Seizures
• Sedation
• Syncope (fainting)
• Abnormal coordination and gait
• Accidental injury
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
• Apnea (cessation of breath)
• Respiratory depression (hypoventilation/shallow breathing)
• Respiratory arrest
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
• Pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx)
• Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial passage)
• Mucosal inflammation
• Rhinitis (inflammation of nasal passage)
• Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses)
• Application site pain
• Pruritus (itching)
• Rash
• Urticaria (hives)
• Urinary retention
• Oliguria (decreased urination)
• Micturition disorder (abnormality in urination)
• Post-operative sedation
• Severe cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Abnormal ECG results such as:
  • QT-interval prolongation
  • ST-segment elevation
• Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Ventricular tachycardia (rapid heartbeat originating in the ventricles)
• Palpitations
• Chest wall rigidity
• Angina pectoris (chest pain)
• Circulatory depression
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Cardiac arrest
• Shock
• Coma

Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of some anilidopiperidine opioid drugs include:

• Actiq
• Alfenta
• alfentanil
• fentanyl transmucosal
• Fentora
• Subsys