Analgesic synergy between topical lidocaine and topical opioids Journal Article


Authors: Kolesnikov, Y. A.; Chereshnev, I.; Pasternak, G. W.
Article Title: Analgesic synergy between topical lidocaine and topical opioids
Abstract: Topical drugs avoid many of the problematic side effects of systemic agents. Immersion of the tail of a mouse into a solution of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-containing morphine produces a dose-dependent, naloxone-sensitive, analgesia (ED50 6.1 mM; CL 4.3, 8.4) limited to the portion of the tail exposed to the drug. DMSO alone in this paradigm had no analgesic activity. Like morphine, the opioids levorphanol (ED50 5.0 mM; CL 3.8, 7.8) and buprenorphine (ED50 1.1 mM; CL 0.7, 1.5) were effective topical analgesics. Lidocaine also was active in the tail-flick assay (ED50 2.5 mM; CL 2.0, 3.4), with a potency greater than morphine. As expected, the free base of lidocaine was more potent than its salt. Combinations of a low dose of lidocaine with a low dose of an opioid yielded significantly greater than additive effects for all opioids tested. Isobolographic analysis confirmed the presence of synergy between lidocaine and morphine, levorphanol and buprenorphine. These studies demonstrate a potent interaction peripherally between opioids and a local anesthetic and offer potential advantages in the clinical management of pain.
Keywords: dose response; drug potentiation; nonhuman; side effect; mouse; animal; mice; pain; opiate; animal experiment; animal model; administration, topical; drug potency; dose-response relationship, drug; mice, inbred icr; drug synergism; dimethyl sulfoxide; morphine; analgesics, opioid; pain measurement; lidocaine; anesthetics, local; analgesia; tail flick test; naloxone; analgesic activity; levorphanol; buprenorphine; male; priority journal; article; support, non-u.s. gov't; support, u.s. gov't, p.h.s.
Journal Title: Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Volume: 295
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0022-3565
Publisher: American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics  
Date Published: 2000-11-01
Start Page: 546
End Page: 551
Language: English
PUBMED: 11046087
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 18 November 2015 -- Source: Scopus
Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. Gavril W Pasternak
    414 Pasternak