To become familiar with the possibilities of the use of opioids in clinical practice with particular reference to the indications for use, the effects of opioid therapy, the side effects of opioids and the complications of opioid treatment. Acquire knowledge of opioid therapy application techniques.
What constitutes opioids? Historical overview, morphine derivatives, definition of opioids, examples of opioid and non-opioid therapy. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of opioid analgesics. Overview of opioids in clinical use: Indications, effects of opioid therapy, side effects of opioids, complications of opioid use, opioid antagonists. Equianalgesic effects: definition of equianalgesic effects, comparison of doses of parenterally and perorally administered drugs, comparison of equianalgesic doses of different opioids. Challenges of opioid use in clinical practice - Clinically significant interactions with commonly prescribed therapies.
Opioid abuse: non-medical use of opioids, opioid medications as addictive drugs, addiction as a side effect of medical treatment
Term paper - presentation of student papers on topics related to the clinical use of opioids
Writing prescriptions for opioid analgesics
Conversion from non-opioid to opioid therapy - a case report
Opioid analgesia for dental procedures - case report
Side effects of opioid therapy - case report
Equianalized doses and opioid dosing in relation to route of administration - case report
Interactions of opioid therapy with commonly prescribed medications - a case report
The problem of opioid analgesic use in treatment-naive addicts - case report
Clinical picture and treatment algorithm in opioid overdose - case report
Required course materials:
- Jukić M, Husedžinović I, Kvolik S i sur. Klinička anesteziologija. Zagreb: Medicinska naklada; 2012. (Poglavlja: Klinička farmakologija; Opioidi; Liječenje akutne boli, Liječenje kronične boli.)
- Linčir I i sur. Farmakologija za stomatologe. Zagreb: Medicinska naklada; 2011
- Katzung i sur. Temeljna i klinička farmakologija. 14. izd. Zagreb: Medicinska naklada; 2020.
- Nastavni materijali s predavanja
Supplemental course materials:
After passing the exam in this course, the student will be able to:
1. Identify types of opioid therapy
2. Assess the indications, route of administration and effects of opioid therapy
3. Evaluate the side effects of opioids and opioid treatment
4. Select appropriate opioid therapy in clinical practice.
5. Assess the need for interdisciplinary cooperation of dentists with specialists in dental medicine and medicine
