The invention relates to synthetic peptide amides that are ligands of the kappa opioid receptor and particularly to agonists of the kappa opioid receptor that exhibit low P.sub.450 CYP inhibition and low penetration into the brain. The synthetic peptide amides of the invention conform to the structure: ##STR00001## wherein Xaa is a D-amino acid and G is selected from the following three groups: ##STR00002## The compounds are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of pain, pruritis and inflammation associated with a variety of diseases and conditions.