What Parenteral Opioids to Use in Face of Shortages of Morphine, Hydromorphone, and Fentanyl

Mellar P Davis; Mary Lynn McPherson; Zankhana Mehta; Bertrand Behm; Carlos Fernandez

doi:10.1177/1049909118771374

What Parenteral Opioids to Use in Face of Shortages of Morphine, Hydromorphone, and Fentanyl

Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2018 Aug;35(8):1118-1122. doi: 10.1177/1049909118771374. Epub 2018 Apr 12.

Authors

Mellar P Davis¹, Mary Lynn McPherson², Zankhana Mehta¹, Bertrand Behm¹, Carlos Fernandez¹

Affiliations

¹ 1 Department of Palliative Care, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, USA.
² 2 Advanced Post-Graduate Education in Palliative Care, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA.

PMID: 29649890
DOI: 10.1177/1049909118771374

Abstract

Parenteral potent opioid availability is becoming an issue in acute pain management. Two opioids, nalbuphine and buprenorphine, are available which can be substituted for hydromorphone, fentanyl, and morphine. There are advantages and disadvantages in using these 2 opioids which are discussed, and potential dosing strategies are outlined.

Keywords: analgesia; buprenorphine; nalbuphine; opioid; pain.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage
Analgesics, Opioid / supply & distribution*
Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use*
Buprenorphine / therapeutic use
Fentanyl / supply & distribution
Humans
Hydromorphone / supply & distribution
Morphine / supply & distribution
Nalbuphine / therapeutic use
Pain / drug therapy

Substances

Analgesics, Opioid
Buprenorphine
Morphine
Nalbuphine
Hydromorphone
Fentanyl