Understanding opioid selection in the OR is all about recognizing pharmacokinetics and how they align with surgical needs and patient factors, rather than focusing solely on receptor effects. This episode explores the five opioids you use most—morphine, fentanyl, sufentanil, remifentanil, and hydromorphone—and offers a framework for choosing optimally among them.

Opioid receptor mechanisms and their clinical outcomes
Lipid solubility's role in opioid kinetics
Pharmacokinetics of morphine, fentanyl, sufentanil, remifentanil, and hydromorphone
Managing side effects like respiratory depression and opioid-induced hyperalgesia
Guidelines for opioid selection based on case specifics and patient renal function

Resources

Atomic Anesthesia Platform — In-depth lessons and quizzes on each opioid.

FREE RESOURCE FOR THIS EPISODE:

GPCR Cheat Sheet — G-protein coupled receptors decoded for anesthesia. Head to atomicanesthesia.com/freebies/gpcr-cheat-sheet to grab it free.

MORE FREE STUDY RESOURCES:

SEE/NCE Study Plan — A structured, week-by-week plan to pass your boards

Non-Opioid Pharmacology Cheat Sheet — Every non-opioid analgesic you need to know, on one page

Malignant Hyperthermia Reference Guide — Recognize MH fast. Treat it faster — one-page reference

WANT THE FULL PLATFORM?

Atomic Anesthesia is the all-in-one study platform built specifically for SRNAs — lessons, quizzes, flashcards, and more. Start your free trial at atomicanesthesia.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

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