Question

How does the general opioids function?

(a) Render a specific portion of the body insensitive to pain

(b) Render the full body of the patient insensitive to pain

(c) Render insensitive to pain by decreasing the pain threshold

(d) Render a specific CNS of the body insensitive to pain

The question was asked in a job interview.

The doubt is from Opioid Analgesics topic in chapter Local & General Anesthetics, Opioid Analgesics, Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse of Drug Biotechnology

Answer 1

The correct choice is (c) Render insensitive to pain by decreasing the pain threshold

Easy explanation: In general, opioids act upon mu-, delta-, and kappa-receptors on the brain and spinal cord neurons producing analgesia via decreased neuronal transmitter release.  Opioid most of the times appear to work by elevating the pain threshold, thus decreases the brain’s awareness of pain in the patient’s body. Mu-binds morphine strongest. K-safest analgesic due to less dangerous side effects.