Low Testosterone Levels Linked to LongActing Opioids Used for Chronic Pain

A study of 81 men taking daily opioids to control chronic pain revealed that men on long-acting or sustained-release opioids were nearly 5 times more likely to have low testosterone levels than men taking short-acting or immediate-release opioids. The issue of hypogonadism related to long-acting opioid use was brought up decades ago. While it is not a new topic, it seems to have caught a second wind because of the increasing use of long-acting opioids over the years.

In the study referred to at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine and reported in Rheumatology News, 34 of 46 men on long-acting or sustained-release opioids had low testosterone levels compared to 12 of 35 men on short-acting or immediate-release opioids. That's 74% versus 34% -- a significant difference. Undiagnosed and untreated hypogonadism can lead to other conditions including osteoporosis, low libido, insulin resistance, increased pain, and obesity. The results are considered preliminary and the researchers are planning for a larger study.

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