The Role of Morphine Analogues in Post-Surgical Pain Management: From Pharmacology to Clinical Guidelines

Abstract

This thesis provides a comprehensive overview of morphine and its analogues in the management of post-surgical pain, focusing on their pharmacological properties, clinical efficacy, and safety considerations. It discusses the importance of individualized opioid prescribing guided by patient-specific factors such as metabolism, comorbidities, and risk of dependence. The work emphasizes current clinical guidelines promoting multimodal analgesia and opioid-sparing strategies to reduce adverse effects and improve patient outcomes. Additionally, it addresses the challenges posed by the opioid crisis, underscoring the need for responsible prescribing and ongoing research into safer, more effective postoperative pain management approaches.