Control of breathing: how to better understand the respiratory effects of opioids

At present, major post operative & post traumatic pain relief is impossible without opioid treatment. Providing adequate and satisfactory pain relief with minimal respiratory risk is an important adjunct to patient recovery. Respiratory depression by opioids is dose-related; however, the response to a given dose is quite variable among patients. Avoiding opioid-induced respiratory depression can be achieved by monitoring the level of sedation, breathing, pupillary constriction, and gas exchange.