TY - JOUR
T1 - Opioid-induced Hallucinations
T2 - A Review of the Literature, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment
AU - Sivanesan, Eellan
AU - Gitlin, Melvin C.
AU - Candiotti, Keith A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2016 International Anesthesia Research Society.
PY - 2016/10/1
Y1 - 2016/10/1
N2 - Despite their association with multiple adverse effects, opioid prescription continues to increase. Opioid-induced hallucination is an uncommon yet significant adverse effect of opioid treatment. The practitioner may encounter patient reluctance to volunteer the occurrence of this phenomenon because of fears of being judged mentally unsound. The majority of the literature concerning opioid-induced hallucinations arises from treatment during end-of-life care and cancer pain. Because the rate of opioid prescriptions continues to increase in the population, the rate of opioid-associated hallucinations may also conceivably increase. With a forecasted increase in the patient-to-physician ratio, opioid therapy is predicted to be provided by practitioners of varying backgrounds and medical specialties. Hence, knowledge of the pharmacology and potential adverse effects of these agents is required. This review seeks to increase awareness of this potential complication through a discussion of the literature, potential mechanisms of action, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.
AB - Despite their association with multiple adverse effects, opioid prescription continues to increase. Opioid-induced hallucination is an uncommon yet significant adverse effect of opioid treatment. The practitioner may encounter patient reluctance to volunteer the occurrence of this phenomenon because of fears of being judged mentally unsound. The majority of the literature concerning opioid-induced hallucinations arises from treatment during end-of-life care and cancer pain. Because the rate of opioid prescriptions continues to increase in the population, the rate of opioid-associated hallucinations may also conceivably increase. With a forecasted increase in the patient-to-physician ratio, opioid therapy is predicted to be provided by practitioners of varying backgrounds and medical specialties. Hence, knowledge of the pharmacology and potential adverse effects of these agents is required. This review seeks to increase awareness of this potential complication through a discussion of the literature, potential mechanisms of action, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84973299517&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1213/ANE.0000000000001417
DO - 10.1213/ANE.0000000000001417
M3 - Article
C2 - 27258073
AN - SCOPUS:84973299517
SN - 0003-2999
VL - 123
SP - 836
EP - 843
JO - Anesthesia and analgesia
JF - Anesthesia and analgesia
IS - 4
ER -