Hormone Replacement Therapy for Restoring the HPG Axis in Pain Patients Treated with Long-Term Opioid Analgesics - Pharmacology & Pharmacy

PP > Vol.9 No.11, November 2018

Pharmacology & Pharmacy

Volume 9, Issue 11 (November 2018)

ISSN Print: 2157-9423 ISSN Online: 2157-9431

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Hormone Replacement Therapy for Restoring the HPG Axis in Pain Patients Treated with Long-Term Opioid Analgesics ()

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DOI: 10.4236/pp.2018.911036 894 Downloads 1,709 Views Citations

Author(s)

Srinivas Nalamachu¹, Joseph V. Pergolizzi Jr.^2,3, Robert Taylor Jr.², Jo Ann Le Quang⁴, Joseph V. Pergolizzi III², Robert B. Raffa^5,6

Affiliation(s)

¹International Clinical Research, Institute and Pain Management Institute, Overland Park, KS, USA.
²NEMA Research, Inc., Naples, FL, USA.
⁴LeQ Medical, Angleton, TX, USA.
⁵College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
⁶School of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

ABSTRACT

Opioids are a treatment option for a variety of chronic pain conditions. But long-term opioid use can be associated with side effects, including hypogonadism. Opioid-induced hypogonadism (OIhG) is associated with the alteration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG). In males, hypogonadism can result in erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, fatigue, worsening mood, and increased risk of osteoporosis; in females, it can result in changes in the menstrual cycle and reduced libido, among other effects. A current treatment option for these patients is hormone replacement therapy. In this report, we discuss the problem of opioid-induced hypogonadism, and the therapeutic approach and the potential complications of treating pain patients using hormone replacement therapy.

KEYWORDS

Opioid Therapy, Chronic Pain, HPG Axis, Hormone Replacement Therapy

Share and Cite:

Nalamachu, S. , Pergolizzi Jr., J. , Taylor Jr., R. , Quang, J. , Pergolizzi III, J. and Raffa, R. (2018) Hormone Replacement Therapy for Restoring the HPG Axis in Pain Patients Treated with Long-Term Opioid Analgesics. Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 9, 473-480. doi: 10.4236/pp.2018.911036.

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