Opioids and the Kidney: A Compendium

What is it about?

Opioids are a class of medications used in pain management. Unfortunately, long-term use, overprescription, and illicit opioid use have led to one of the greatest threats to mankind: the opioid crisis. The global increase in opioid use requires practitioners to be aware of the side effects and contraindications of these medications in order to avoid complications, especially in patients with organ dysfunction such as cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. This mini-review describes opioid physiology in relation to kidney dysfunction.

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