Pharmacologic treatments for addiction

Abstract

Prescription drug abuse, especially the illegal use of opiates such as Oxycontin®, has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Patients who are opiate dependent can be very challenging to care for. Chronic opiate use significantly alters neurophysiology and limits the effectiveness of many anesthetic medications. Similarly, many of the agents now used to attempt to detoxify patients may also alter anesthetic responsiveness. A detailed knowledge of the pharmacology of the agents used to maintain and detoxify addicts is essential for successful perioperative management of these challenging patients.