Abstract

The analgesic potency of nalorphine has been determined in post-operative patients and compared to morphine. Nalorphine is at least as potent an analgesic as morphine and represents a long-sought potent non-addicting analgesic although retaining a high side action liability. To achieve the full analgesic effect of nalorphine, nalorphine and morphine cannot be given to the same patient.

Some limited data on side action liability were presented and their relationship to clinical utility of nalorphine as a routine narcotic was discussed.

Further data on the importance of excluding placebo reactors in therapeutic trials were presented.