Men treated with opioid analgesia may develop a number of genitourinary problems.
Risk factors for male genitourinary problems:
(1) advanced age
(2) spinal cord disorder (trauma, tumor, etc)
(3) prostatic hypertrophy
(4) high doses of the opioid
(5) drugs that interfere with opioid metabolism
(6) pre-existing genitourinary problems
Genitourinary problems may include:
(1) sexual dysfunction
(2) urinary retention
Management:
(1) Reduce the dose of the opioid.
(2) Select an opioid that has a minimum effect on the GU tract..
(3) Avoid drugs that interfere with opioid metabolism.
(4) Urinary catheterization may be necessary to relieve the urinary retention.
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Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
