Fentanyl: Receptor pharmacology, abuse potential, and implications for treatment

• Published in: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews Vol. 106; pp. 49 - 57
• Main Authors: Comer, Sandra D., Cahill, Catherine M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2019
• Subjects: Abuse; Beta-arrestin; Buprenorphine; Efficacy; Fentanyl; Heroin; Illicit; Methadone; Naltrexone; Pain; Pharmacology; Self-administration; Subjective effects; Treatment; Self-administration; Abuse; Subjective effects; Beta-arrestin; Fentanyl; Efficacy; Pharmacology; Methadone; Naltrexone; Pain; Treatment; Buprenorphine; Illicit; Heroin

•Illicit fentanyl is sold as an adulterant to heroin and other drugs. The extent to which fentanyl alone is sold or sought out by drug users is unclear.•Fentanyl is a potent mu opioid agonist with high efficacy. Compared to morphine, it may produce greater activation of beta-arrestin complexes.•Nalo...