Low Incidence of Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression Observed with Oliceridine Regardless of Age or Body Mass Index: Exploratory Analysis from a Phase 3 Open-Label Trial in Postsurgical Pain

. 2021 Jan 21;10(1):457–473. doi: 10.1007/s40122-020-00232-x

Why carry out this study?

Advanced age and obesity are known risk factors for the development of opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD).

In this exploratory retrospective analysis from the open-label ATHENA study, we tested the hypothesis that the use of oliceridine, a selective G-protein µ agonist, in at-risk surgical populations, defined as (1) elderly (≥ 65 years), (2) obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), and, (3) elderly and obese patients was not associated with increased incidence of OIRD.

What was learned from the study?

Postoperative oliceridine use in patients with advanced age, increased BMI, or in elderly with increased BMI was not associated with increased risk of OIRD.