TABLE 6-2Special Biological and Social Characteristics of Opioids and Opioid Derivatives

CharacteristicOpioidsOpioid Agonists/Partial AgonistsOpioid Antagonists
Genetic predisposition to misuseXX
Repeated exposure alters neurobiology of brainXX
Licit/illicit product replacement capacityXX
Reinforcing effects due to chemical propertiesXX
Clinical need is greatXXX
Unintentional/intentional harm or benefit from exposure is greatXXX
Exposure or availability can cause risks or benefits to others besides the patientXXX

From: 6, Opioid Approval and Monitoring by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Cover of Pain Management and the Opioid Epidemic
Pain Management and the Opioid Epidemic: Balancing Societal and Individual Benefits and Risks of Prescription Opioid Use.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Health Sciences Policy; Committee on Pain Management and Regulatory Strategies to Address Prescription Opioid Abuse; Phillips JK, Ford MA, Bonnie RJ, editors.
Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2017 Jul 13.
Copyright 2017 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

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