Dual enkephalinase inhibitors and fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors increase the levels of endogenous opioids and cannabinoids, respectively. Although their antinociceptive effects have been known for over a decade, they have only recently entered early-stage clinical trials. This Review compares the effects of these two potential classes of novel analgesics and discusses opportunities for combination therapies.
- Bernard P. Roques
- Marie-Claude Fournié-Zaluski
- Michel Wurm
