Opioids- Pure Agonists and Agonists/Antagonists

Drugs in class Pure Agonists

Morphine Sulfate
Fentanyl
Oxycodone Hydrochloride
(Oxycontin & more names...)
Hydrocodone
Methadone
Codeine
Meperidine (Demerol)

Properties/MOA

-All agonists are respiratory
depressants
• M1 = analgesia/dependance
• M2 = Euphoria/dependance/
respiratory depression/
constipation
• M2 = vasodilation
• Agonist/Antagonists for
moderate pain with
potentially less risk of
abstinence syndrome and
respiratory depression

Effects/Adverse Rxn

-Respiratory
Depression
• Sedation
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Dependance
• Addiction

Contraindications

• May be
contraindicated
w/breastfeeding and
pregnancy
→ transfers to baby.
Newborn addiction is a
risk.
• Use in caution in
clients w/resp.
disease/problems

Nursing info

• Morphine Sulfate potency is
the standard by which other
opioid analgesics are
measured
• Fentanyl is 100 X’s more
potent than Morphine
• Demerol’s ACTIVE
metabolite, normeperidine
can accumulate and cause
seizures

Drugs in class Agonists/Antagonists

Nalbuphine(Nubain)
Butorphanol(Stadol)