Exogenous Opioids and the Human Endocrine System: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
The use and misuse of opioids are a growing global problem. Although the effects of these drugs on the human endocrine system have been studied for decades, attention on their related clinical consequences, particularly on the hypothalamic-pituitary system and bone health, has intensified over recent years. This Statement appraises research data related to the impact of opioids on the gonadal and adrenal function. Whereas hypogonadism is well recognized as a side effect of opioids, the significance of their inhibitory actions on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system and the occurrence of clinically relevant adrenal insufficiency is not fully elucidated. The often-inconsistent results of studies investigating how opioids affect the secretion of GH, prolactin, arginine vasopressin, and oxytocin are assessed. The accumulating evidence of opioid actions on bone metabolism and their negative sequelae on bone mineral density and risk of fracture are also reviewed. In each section, available data on diagnostic and management approaches for opioid endocrine sequelae are described. This Statement highlights a plethora of gaps in research associated with the effects and clinical consequences of opioids on the endocrine system. It is anticipated that addressing these gaps will improve the care of people using or misusing opioids worldwide. The Statement is not intended to serve as a guideline or dictate treatment decisions.
Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 773-794 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Endocrine reviews |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Nov 2024 |
| Peer-reviewed | Yes |
External IDs
| PubMed | 39441725 |
|---|
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goals
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- bones, hypogonadism, hypopituitarism, hypothalamic-pituitary, opiates, opioids