Abstract
Objective: To know, in the oncogeriatric population, immunosuppression as an adverse effect of the use of opioids. Bibliographic Review: This class of drugs is used to control symptoms, mainly moderate to severe pain. There is ample clinical knowledge about the most common side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and constipation, but little is discussed about the immunomodulation caused by opioids. For the elderly population with cancer, the control of symptoms such as pain is essential in clinical follow-up. Adequate pain treatment is often done with the prescription of opioids that come in for chronic and continuous use. In addition to the clinically observed adverse reactions, there are several reports in the literature investigating the immunomodulatory effects of these drugs and their relationship with increased risk of sepsis and higher mortality. Final considerations: Consider the importance of the immunosuppressive effect of opioids in therapeutic planning, especially for continuous treatments, in order to use this drug, whenever well indicated, but safely.