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Evaluation of potential sex differences in the subjective and analgesic effects of morphine in normal, healthy volunteers

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Abstract

Rationale

Sex differences in the analgesic effects of mu-opioid agonists have been documented extensively in rodents and, to a lesser extent, in non-human primates. To date, there have been few experimental studies investigating this effect in humans, and the conclusions have been equivocal.

Objectives

The aims of the present study were to examine potential sex differences in the analgesic, subjective, performance, and physiological effects of morphine in human research volunteers.

Methods

Using a double-blind outpatient procedure, the present study investigated the effects of intramuscular morphine (0, 5, and 10 mg/70 kg, i.m.) in men (N = 8) and women (N = 10). The primary dependent measure was analgesia, as assessed by the cold pressor and mechanical pressure tests. Secondary dependent measures included subjective, performance, and physiological effects of morphine, as well as plasma levels of morphine.

Results

No differences in the analgesic and performance effects of morphine were observed between men and women, but significant differences in morphine’s subjective effects were found. Specifically, men reported greater positive effects, whereas women reported greater negative effects after morphine administration.

Conclusions

These data suggest that, in humans, there are sex differences in the subjective mood-altering effects of morphine but, based on this limited sample, there is little evidence for sex differences in its analgesic effects.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research for supporting this study (DE12763). The assistance of Michael Donovan RN, Elizabeth Adorno RN, Katherine Strutynski, Daniel Kroch, Anastasia Wermert, Kimberly Blauner, Irina Brouda, Christy Hall, Jose Mora, Mabel Torres, and Suleman Bhana is gratefully acknowledged. Portions of this paper were presented at the 2005 Meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, 2007 American Pain Society Meeting, and 2007 Behavioral Pharmacology Society Meeting.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Dr., Unit 120, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Sandra D. Comer, Ziva D. Cooper, William J. Kowalczyk, Maria A. Sullivan, Suzette M. Evans, Adam M. Bisaga & Suzanne K. Vosburg

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  1. Sandra D. Comer
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  2. Ziva D. Cooper
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  3. William J. Kowalczyk
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  4. Maria A. Sullivan
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  6. Adam M. Bisaga
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  7. Suzanne K. Vosburg
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Correspondence to Sandra D. Comer.

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Comer, S.D., Cooper, Z.D., Kowalczyk, W.J. et al. Evaluation of potential sex differences in the subjective and analgesic effects of morphine in normal, healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology 208, 45–55 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-009-1703-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-009-1703-4

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