Rational Use of Opioid Analgesics: What have we learned and what are the promises for the future?
James P. Rathmell, MD

• Review the recent public attention to abuse and diversion of prescription opioid analgesics and discuss the developments in education of practitioners and regulatory oversight
• Discuss developments in our understanding of the pharmacogenetics of the opioid receptor and the implications for interpatient variability in opioid responsiveness
• Discuss recent developments in drug combinations and drug designs that offer potential for improvement in analgesia or reduction of abuse potential

NMDA- Receptor Mediated Central Sensitization and Tolerance: Scientific findings & clinical implications

Charles E. Argoff, MD

• Review the basic science and pharmacologic evidence for combining opioid analgesics with NMDA receptor antagonists. Discuss the clinical trial evidence assessing the enhancement of opioid analgesia by the addition of NMDA antagonists. Examine the possible clinical advantages and disadvantages of enhancing opioid analgesia through concomitant use of an opioid plus a nonopioid.