Research on pain-relieving drugs. Covers new pain-management startups, omega-3 approaches, drug safety, and AI-driven drug discovery.
Researchers found that brain anatomy and psychological traits can predict which patients will respond to sugar pills, resulting in reduced pain and cost savings. The study suggests that clinicians should consider prescribing sugar pills for chronic pain patients, potentially opening up a new field.
People who use drugs in NYC have changed their behaviors to prevent overdoses due to the increasing presence of fentanyl. Many reported using test shots and carrying naloxone, while others used drugs with others or reduced their consumption.
A study found a clear geographical split in opioid prescribing in England, with the North showing higher rates of chronic pain, anxiety, and poor general health. Opioid use was linked to intensity of pain, educational attainment, and general health, highlighting the need for alternative pain management strategies.
Researchers found that mental imagery techniques can effectively regulate pain perception independently of the opioid system. The study used heat pain and visual cues to manipulate participants' expectations, showing that mental imagery is an opioid-independent approach to pain management.
Researchers from Charité - Universitátsmedizin Berlin have developed a new generation of pain medications that can prevent brain- and gut-related side effects associated with conventional opioids. The drugs are designed to work only at sites affected by injury or inflammation.
A large-scale study found that diclofenac, a common painkiller, is associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. The study suggests that diclofenac should not be available over the counter and when prescribed, should come with a warning about its potential risks.
Researchers have determined the DNA code of the opium poppy genome, unlocking key steps in how the plant evolved to produce vital medicines. The discovery may lead to improved yields and disease resistance, securing a reliable supply of effective pain relief medications.
At ESC Congress 2018, a record 156 countries were represented, with over 4,500 abstracts presented in 500 expert sessions. Key clinical trials included MARINER, CAMELLIA-TIMI 61, and ASCEND, which may impact practice and guideline updates. The congress also featured new guidelines for hypertension care.
Researchers at Wake Forest School of Medicine discover a safe and non-addictive pain medication called AT-121, which suppressed addictive effects of opioids and produced morphine-like analgesic effects. The compound also blocks abuse potential of prescription opioids like buprenorphine, offering hope to treat pain and opioid abuse.
A clinical trial of over 1,000 patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators found that ranolazine was safe but did not significantly decrease the likelihood of the first occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia or death. However, it did lower the number of recurring episodes of ventricular tachycardia.
A large trial found that long-term single antiplatelet therapy after stenting is relatively safe, but it does not reduce the risk of death or heart attacks compared to standard dual antiplatelet therapy. The study involved over 15,000 patients and followed them for two years.
The ARRIVE study found that daily aspirin use did not reduce cardiovascular events, but participants who took aspirin had fewer heart attacks. Aspirin reduced the risk of total and nonfatal myocardial infarction in certain age groups, but increased gastrointestinal bleeding rates.
The COMPASS trial found a significant link between major bleeding events and new cancer diagnoses in patients treated with anticoagulants. Patients who experienced bleeding were more than 20% likely to receive a new cancer diagnosis.
The ARRIVE trial found that daily aspirin did not reduce the occurrence of major cardiovascular events among participants at moderate cardiovascular risk. However, a lower-than-expected rate of cardiovascular events was observed, suggesting potential protection from modern preventative and therapeutic strategies such as statins.
A 2014 US Drug Enforcement Administration policy change was associated with an increase in filled opioid prescriptions after elective surgery. Most of the increase was attributed to hydrocodone, the most commonly prescribed opioid following surgery.
A study at Toronto General Hospital found that nearly half of patients who did not take opioids before surgery were able to wean off completely. The Transitional Pain Program uses non-opioid medications, psychological techniques, and exercise prescriptions to help patients manage pain. Patients who were on high doses of opioids before ...
A new study investigates pre-existing perceptions about pain medications in individuals with chronic pain, revealing that personalized care by a pharmacist can have a significant impact on patient experiences and outcomes.
A recent study published in The Lancet suggests that remifentanil during labour could halve the number of women needing an epidural, providing effective pain relief with reduced risks. The trial involved 400 women and found that remifentanil was associated with lower rates of instrumental deliveries and consequent morbidity.
A recent survey found that nearly a third of college students knew someone who overdosed on painkillers or heroin, while 20.5% said they know someone addicted to pain medication. The study highlights the collateral damage of the opioid epidemic on those closely tied to users.
A new study from Michigan Medicine reveals that young people who receive opioid prescriptions immediately before or after wisdom teeth removal are nearly three times as likely to keep using opioids weeks or months later. Those in their late teens and twenties have the highest odds of persistent opioid use.
A pilot study by University of Michigan researchers revealed that poor communication between nurses and doctors is a primary cause of patient care mistakes. Nurses often communicate indirectly, which confuses physicians, and the hospital hierarchy puts nurses at a power disadvantage, making them afraid to speak the truth.
A new poll by U-M/AARP National Poll on Healthy Aging reveals that 74% of older adults support limiting opioid prescription amounts, while many struggle with safe storage and disposal of unused pills. The findings highlight the need for better counseling and resources to combat the opioid epidemic among this critical demographic.
Researchers developed prescribing recommendations for opioids after gall bladder removal and discovered a spillover effect that led to significant reductions in pill prescriptions for other major operations. The study found that the reduction in prescribing resulted in roughly 10,000 fewer pills entering the community.
Researchers found that opioid-based painkillers increased side effects such as personality changes and sedation by tripling in people with dementia. The study suggests that people with dementia produce more natural opioids, making them sensitive to painkillers.
Researchers at UniSA's Body in Mind Research Group have found visual illusions can reduce knee pain in people with osteoarthritis by up to 40%. The study used visual illusions that altered the size of participants' knees and lower legs, resulting in a cumulative analgesic effect.
The new GSA resource provides practical advice for gerontological professionals to support safe use of OTC analgesics in older adults. Key findings highlight the importance of evaluating pain thoroughly and developing a care plan, with consideration of nonprescription treatment options.
Researchers used computer modeling to study aspirin-receptor interactions and found that low-dose aspirin treatment activated PPAR-alpha in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. This activation improved hippocampal plasticity and memory, suggesting the therapeutic potential of aspirin in dementia-related illnesses.
A new study led by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine finds that aspirin desensitization can also alleviate alcohol-induced allergies in patients with Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD). Following treatment, 86.5% of patients reported they could drink alcohol without experiencing symptoms.
Researchers have found a non-opioid drug that targets immune cells to relieve pain, providing an alternative to addictive opioid drugs. The investigational drug, EMA401, inhibits the angiotensin II type 2 receptor on macrophages, leading to pain signal transmission.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new method to synthesize multi-substituted anilines, enabling further developments in medical and materials science. The catalyst-based domino rearrangement reaction offers improved efficiency and selectivity over conventional methods.
A majority of Australian GPs support medicinal cannabis use in palliative care and chronic conditions, highlighting the need for GP training. Despite their support, many feel uninformed and inadequately trained to handle patient enquiries about medicinal cannabis.
A recent study published in CMAJ found anticonvulsants to be ineffective for chronic low back pain and lumbar radicular pain, with a higher risk of adverse events.
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that low-dose aspirin may reduce plaques in the brain by stimulating lysosomes and increasing the activity of TFEB, a protein responsible for waste removal. This could lead to improved treatment options for Alzheimer's disease.
Research suggests that low-dose aspirin regimens could decrease amyloid plaque pathology in mice by stimulating lysosomes. Activating cellular waste removal mechanisms is a promising strategy for slowing disease progression.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that combining chemical compounds to activate specific nerve cell receptors may reduce the risk of opioid tolerance and side effects by minimizing the amount of opioids needed. The study used mice models, suggesting that this approach could lead to a lower-risk pain treatment option.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that health insurers have not done enough to combat the opioid epidemic. The researchers analyzed coverage policies for drugs to treat chronic lower-back pain and concluded that these policies missed opportunities to steer patients towards safer treatments.
Researchers have developed a tool that analyzes protein phosphorylation patterns in the brain, revealing changes associated with desired and undesired opioid effects. This study aims to identify potential non-addictive opioids and reduce side effects by interfering with signal cascades.
A study published in Anesthesiology found that IV acetaminophen does not meaningfully decrease opioid use after surgery compared to oral acetaminophen. Researchers suggest that eliminating IV acetaminophen may result in significant cost savings for hospitals.
A new study from LSU Health Sciences Center found that opioids significantly increase the risk of fracture nonunion following acute and chronic administration. The researchers also suggest that certain medications, including Schedule II opioids and prescription NSAIDs, create a greater nonunion risk than non-opioid analgesics.
A recent study found that up to seven percent of patients develop a persistent habit after being prescribed opioids following surgery. To address this issue, experts recommend enhanced care coordination between surgeons and primary care physicians to identify patients at risk of developing opioid addiction.
Researchers discovered that aspirin blocks TIF-IA, a molecule essential for the nucleolus to function, driving tumour formation and dysfunction. Regular use of aspirin may help pinpoint those most likely to benefit from the treatment.
A study led by Stanford researchers found that over 11 million Americans may be prescribed incorrect statins, aspirin, or blood pressure medications due to outdated data. The updated equations improve the accuracy of cardiovascular disease risk estimates.
A study published by the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care found that taking aspirin before and after CABG surgery significantly reduced mortality risk. Patients who took aspirin had a 4-year mortality rate of 10.7%, compared to 16.2% in non-aspirin patients.
A new study found that hypnosedation is an effective alternative to general anesthesia for various surgeries, including breast cancer treatments, gynecological procedures, and superficial plastic surgeries. The technique reduces adverse effects, accelerates postoperative rehabilitation, and improves patient comfort.
A national resilience strategy is proposed to reverse mortality trends from drug overdoses, alcohol, and suicides. The strategy includes improved pain management, harm reduction services, and new approaches to suicide prevention.
Research supports recent FDA restrictions on prescription hydrocodone- and codeine-containing cough medicines for children, finding opioids in general should not be prescribed for coughs and colds. The study highlights the risks of opioid-containing cough products outweighing potential benefits in pediatric populations.
A new study published in Anesthesiology found that liposomal bupivacaine, a long-acting local anesthetic, did not reduce opioid prescriptions or complications after total knee replacement surgery. The study included over 88,000 patients and found no significant benefit from adding liposomal bupivacaine to multimodal pain management reg...
A clinical trial involving over 4880 participants found that combining clopidogrel and aspirin reduces the risk of secondary stroke within 90 days. However, it also increases the risk of major bleeding, with most episodes being non-fatal and not brain-related.
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that combining clopidogrel and aspirin reduces the risk of major stroke within 90 days after a minor stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) by 25%. However, this combination also increases the risk of bleeding complications.
A randomized trial of 383 women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections found that taking ibuprofen instead of antibiotics prolonged symptom duration and increased the risk of serious complications. The study concludes that ibuprofen is not a safe alternative to antibiotics for treating uncomplicated UTIs.
A pilot study at Yale University found that reducing IV opioid dosing by 84% and switching to non-IV methods resulted in similar or improved pain scores for hospitalized patients. The study's findings suggest that less is more when it comes to prescription opioids for hospital patients.
Researchers are studying how stress produces pain and developing a potential treatment for stress-related chronic pain conditions. The team, led by Dr. Frank Porreca, will analyze neurons in the amygdala that respond to stress through signaling at the kappa opioid receptor.
A Johns Hopkins study found that physicians' use of stigmatizing language in medical records can lead to negative attitudes towards patients and less aggressive pain management. The study suggests that neutral language in medical records can perpetuate bias among physicians.
Researchers created PainTracker, a pain assessment adaptable to primary care clinics, addressing patient treatment history, goals and expectations, pain intensity and quality-of-life issues. The tool has dramatically transformed doctors' ability to assess and manage chronic pain, with 40-60% of patients having inadequate pain management.
A new study found that daily aspirin use is associated with a nearly double risk of melanoma in men compared to those who do not take aspirin. In contrast, women taking daily aspirin did not have an increased risk of melanoma. Researchers suggest increasing patient education about sun exposure and skin checks for high-risk individuals.
A recent study funded by Morris Animal Foundation found that tramadol is not an effective treatment for osteoarthritis pain in dogs. The research team compared tramadol to placebo and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, concluding that it was no more effective than a placebo.
A network meta-analysis of 53 randomized controlled trials found naproxen most effective in improving both pain and function, followed by cortisone injections and PRP injections. The study suggests naproxen as a relatively safe and low-cost treatment option for knee osteoarthritis.
A recent study from the University of Michigan found that racial disparities in opioid prescribing have decreased, with blacks and whites now receiving equal numbers of opioid prescriptions. However, blacks are at a higher risk of addiction due to prescription narcotic exposure.
A survey of 138 medical marijuana users aged 61-70 found that most patients significantly reduced their chronic pain and dependence on opioid painkillers. The results suggest that medical marijuana could be an effective solution to curb the opioid epidemic in older adults.
A study published in Kidney Cancer found that non-aspirin NSAID use was associated with shorter overall survival time for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The use of these medications can cause kidney-specific toxicity, leading to increased blood pressure and decreased renal function.