HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Can Taking Hydromorphone After A Total Knee Replacement Surgery Cause A Sensation Of Intense Heat In The Lower Half Of The Body?

I m experiencing the sensation of intense heat in the lower half of my body, most especially in the legs. Im recovering from a total knee replacement surgery, July 2, and have taken 2 mg of hydromorphone for post-op pain. Are these related? Or, is there another cause?
Fri, 29 Mar 2019
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Yes, it is due to the drug. Opioid-induced neurotoxicity is dangerous and frequently missed side effect.

Opioid-induced neurotoxicity is a risk for patients who’ve been taking high doses of opioids or who’ve just had a large increase in dosage.

Dehydration, advanced age and renal failure are also risk factors. The condition is marked by agitation, seizures, and myoclonus, or muscle spasms.

“If the patient develops myoclonus, it’s a red flag to be very cautious and look for alternatives to the opioid they’re taking.

Patients with opioid-induced neurotoxicity should be given benzodiazepines to calm the central nervous system and switched to methadone or fentanyl in place of the opioid that triggered the problem.

The current opioid should be stopped, not tapered. If there’s no alternative opioid, scale back to 25% of the current dose.
Please consult your doctor immediately.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr AJEET SINGH, General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
Can Taking Hydromorphone After A Total Knee Replacement Surgery Cause A Sensation Of Intense Heat In The Lower Half Of The Body?

Hello, Yes, it is due to the drug. Opioid-induced neurotoxicity is dangerous and frequently missed side effect. Opioid-induced neurotoxicity is a risk for patients who’ve been taking high doses of opioids or who’ve just had a large increase in dosage. Dehydration, advanced age and renal failure are also risk factors. The condition is marked by agitation, seizures, and myoclonus, or muscle spasms. “If the patient develops myoclonus, it’s a red flag to be very cautious and look for alternatives to the opioid they’re taking. Patients with opioid-induced neurotoxicity should be given benzodiazepines to calm the central nervous system and switched to methadone or fentanyl in place of the opioid that triggered the problem. The current opioid should be stopped, not tapered. If there’s no alternative opioid, scale back to 25% of the current dose. Please consult your doctor immediately. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr AJEET SINGH, General & Family Physician