Profound analgesic effects of beta-endorphin in man

Lancet. 1980 Jan 19;1(8160):122-4. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(80)90606-6.

Abstract

Profound and long-lasting analgesia (mean duration of pain relief 33.4 h, range 22.5--73.5 h) was produced by intrathecal administration of 3 mg synthetic beta-endorphin in all of 14 patients with intractable pain due to disseminated cancer. No respiratory depression, hypotension, hypothermia, or catatonia was observed.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analgesics
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Endorphins / administration & dosage
  • Endorphins / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Spinal
  • Intractable Pain / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Nociceptors / drug effects*
  • Placebos
  • Research Design
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Endorphins
  • Placebos