Pharmacology and Toxicology of Opioids, 2nd Edition
A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 November 2025 | Viewed by 589
Special Issue Editors
2. UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
Interests: opioid pharmacology; prescription opioids; toxicity assays; toxicity mechanisms; in vivo models; in vitro models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
2. UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
Interests: toxicology; opioid pharmacology; opioid pharmacokinetics; opioid pharmacodynamics; toxicity biomarkers; adverse outcome pathways; toxicity screening; in vitro assays; in vivo assays
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
2. UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
3. Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
4. FOREN–Forensic Science Experts, 4200-604 Porto, Portugal
Interests: toxicology; psychoactive substances; forensic sciences; drugs; opioids; biomedical research; scientometrics; scientific medical writing; pedagogical innovation; real-world evidence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Opioids are a broad group of drugs that include both illegal drugs and medicines. In pharmacological contexts, opioids are currently used as a gold standard for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. Pain is a complex and subjective experience and a symptom associated with several pathologies, many of which are extremely frequent, leading to the widespread consumption of opioids. Despite their high analgesic efficiency, the incidence of side effects and adverse reactions; poisoning cases, including fatal intoxications; and cases of addiction are growing, along with the increase in their use and misuse. In fact, rising opioid consumption is leading to an opioid epidemic and a public health crisis.
In this context, it is important to broaden our knowledge of opioids’ pharmacology and toxicity mechanisms to improve their therapeutic efficacy and lower the rate of adverse effects, which will ultimately improve the quality of life of many patients. Furthermore, it is also important to understand and decrease the potential for opioid dependence in addition to searching for new analgesic opioids. Therefore, in this Special Issue, authors are invited to submit original papers, (mini-)reviews, communications, perspectives, and opinion articles on all relevant aspects of opioid pharmacology and toxicology.
Their research areas may include the following:
- In vitro and in vivo studies on opioid toxicity;
- In vitro and in vivo studies on opioid structure–activity relationships;
- Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies;
- Behavioral studies;
- New advancements in opioid pharmacology, including (but not limited to) new opioid drug candidates;
- New opioid quantification methodologies.
Dr. Juliana Faria
Dr. Joana Barbosa
Prof. Dr. Ricardo Dinis-Oliveira
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
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Keywords
- opioid toxicity
- opioid pharmacodynamics
- opioid pharmacokinetics
- opioid pharmacogenetics
- prescription opioids
- toxicity assays
- in vivo
- in vitro
- abuse
- dependence
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