The Effect of Intrinsic Efficacy on Opioid Tolerance

Abstract

These results indicate that the intrinsic efficacy of opioid analgesics is inversely related to the degree of tolerance after continuous infusion, but that intrinsic efficacy does not significantly affect tolerance after once-daily intermittent administration of these agents. These findings may be of clinical utility in understanding the development of tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of opioids.