Final answer:
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia is most often associated with the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, particularly when used in high doses or over long periods. This condition results from an increased sensitivity to painful stimuli as a side effect of opioids' action on pain receptors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The opioid known for causing opioid-induced hyperalgesia, particularly when infused at large doses or for extended durations, is fentanyl. Opioid-induced hyperalgesia is a condition where a patient becomes more sensitive to painful stimuli. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid, similar to morphine but significantly stronger, often used to treat severe pain or to manage pain after surgery. It is one of the opioids that have contributed to the opioid crisis, due to its high potential for abuse and addiction. It has a high affinity for opioid receptors in the body, which can lead to increased sensitivity to pain over time when used in high doses.
Originally, the opioid crisis was fueled by the increase in prescribing opioid-based pain management drugs like Oxycodone and Vicodin. These medications were heavily marketed and prescribed in the 1990s, and their misuse laid the foundation for the widespread addiction and public health concerns that followed.