Study on the Effect of a Beta Blocker on Increased Sensitivity to Pain in Humans Caused by Opioids

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2011-06-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: Male

Summary

This research study explores whether a beta-blocker (propranolol) can prevent a person from becoming more sensitive to pain after administration of an opioid (remifentanil). Beta blockers inhibit the sympathetic (fight or flight) response and are often used to treat angina and high blood pressure. In a previous study in human volunteers, the investigators demonstrated an increased sensitivity to pain after a 60-minute infusion of the opioid remifentanil. The goal of this study is to identify a possible inhibitor of this phenomenon.

• Phase: Phase 2
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Stanford University
• Treatments: Propranolol; Remifentanil

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Healthy men,

2. Age between 18 and 45 years

3. Normal weight (according to the table provided by Metropolitan Life Insurance).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Hypersensitivity to opioids or naloxone,

2. History of addictive disease,

3. Significant cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, dermatological, and psychiatric diseases,

4. Concurrent medication with an analgesic drug,

5. Student and employees affiliated with our laboratory