Opioid Endocrinopathy

• Published in: Endocrine practice Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 190 - 199
• Main Authors: Demarest, Susan P., Gill, Ranjodh S., Adler, Robert A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Limited 01.02.2015
• Subjects: Analgesics, Opioid - adverse effects; Bone and Bones - metabolism; Endocrine System Diseases - chemically induced; Human Growth Hormone - blood; Humans; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - drug effects; Pituitary-Adrenal System - drug effects; Prolactin - blood

The use of prescription opioids has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Opioids appear to affect multiple endocrine pathways leading to abnormal levels of different hormones such as testosterone, cortisol, and prolactin (PRL). In this article, we review the current data regarding opioid e...