Articles tagged with Analgesics
A new study found that nearly 9% of bariatric surgical patients continue to use prescription opioids one year postoperatively, compared to 6% in general surgical populations. Surgeons must identify high-risk patients and adjust prescribing practices to prevent addiction.
Adam Hsieh, a second-year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, has received the $10,000 TYLENOL Future Care Scholarship. He aims to pursue a career in medicine to better understand health and disease and extend compassionate care.
A study of 61 patients found that almost 75 percent experienced an improvement in their migraine intensity after a three- to seven-day course of inpatient treatment with ketamine. The drug has been shown to provide powerful pain control for patients with many painful conditions.
Administering acetaminophen during surgery may reduce the incidence of postoperative shivering, a common side effect affecting up to half of patients. Acetaminophen significantly reduced shivering severity and body temperature in patients who received it compared to those receiving a placebo.
A new tool developed at the University of Michigan provides guidance on prescribing powerful opioid pain medications to surgery patients. The Opioid Prescribing Recommendations for Surgery are based on data and surveys from surgery patients across Michigan, aiming to prevent chronic opioid use and addiction.
A new report from The Lancet estimates that 61 million people globally need palliative care and pain relief, with most in low- and middle-income countries lacking access to essential medicines. Immediate-release morphine costs just pennies but is inaccessible to over 90% of those who need it.
Researchers found that maternal fever increases the risk of heart defects and facial deformities, with fever itself interfering with heart and jaw development. Acetaminophen may help reduce this risk if taken judiciously during pregnancy.
A randomized controlled trial found ibuprofen to be a better choice for postoperative pain relief in children aged 5-17 after minor orthopedic surgery. The study showed that ibuprofen had fewer adverse effects compared to oral morphine, which was associated with significant side effects such as nausea and drowsiness.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that fever in early pregnancy can cause heart and facial birth defects, but using a fever reducer like acetaminophen may help prevent these defects. The study used zebrafish and chicken embryos to demonstrate the impact of fever on development.
A new study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology has found that epidural analgesia does not affect the duration of the second stage of labor, contrary to long-held beliefs. The research compared catheter-infused epidural anesthetic with a saline placebo and found no significant difference in duration or other outcomes.
A new study found that gabapentin co-use with opioids increases the risk of fatal opioid overdose. The study analyzed data from Ontario, Canada and found that patients prescribed both gabapentin and opioids were more likely to die from an opioid overdose.
The article highlights the risks of opioid addiction after plastic surgery, citing a study that found 4.7% of US population aberrantly used prescription opioids in 2015. Plastic surgeons are advised to screen patients for risk factors and refer them to addiction specialists or transitional pain services.
A new study from King's College London reveals the molecular basis of chronic nerve pain in diabetes, identifying HCN2 as a key player. The findings suggest that targeting this protein could lead to effective treatments for painful diabetic neuropathy, a condition affecting up to one in four people with diabetes.
A recent study from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy found that social and cultural factors are playing a significant role in determining when patients receive opioid prescriptions. Patients with publicly funded insurance, those in the U.S. South, and Hispanic patients were more likely to be prescribed opioids.
A new poll finds that nearly half of older Americans struggle with sleep, but many don't discuss it with their doctors. Prescription sleep medications carry significant health risks for older people, and non-medication-based habits are a more effective solution.
A study analyzing over 200,000 patients undergoing common surgical procedures found varying optimal opioid pain prescription lengths, with general surgery at 4-9 days, women's health at 4-13 days, and musculoskeletal at 6-15 days. The findings aim to balance adequate pain treatment with minimizing medication complications.
Researchers analyzed opioid prescription data from the Department of Defense Military Health System Data Repository to identify optimal opioid pain medication prescription length following surgery. The findings suggest that prescription lengths may need to be extended beyond seven days for certain procedures, recognizing that up to 40%...
Researchers found that stopping long-term low-dose aspirin therapy increases the risk of cardiovascular events by 37%. Stopping aspirin use can lead to a 'rebound effect', with increased clotting levels causing an elevated risk of cardiovascular events that does not diminish over time.
Opioid-related problems in hospitalized children increased significantly over nine years, with white children being most affected. Adverse events included opioid withdrawal, constipation, altered mental status, and cardiac arrest.
A review suggests using a holistic and multimodal approach to treat acute pain in patients with opioid dependence. The recommended strategies include education for healthcare providers and patients, screening tools to assess risk factors, and psychological tools such as relaxation techniques and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Researchers identified unique structural, biological and chemical insights in opioid drug activation, shedding light on beneficial and adverse effects. The findings may provide a blueprint for designing improved painkillers with reduced side effects.
A new study presents evidence that taking aspirin twice daily could provide more cardiovascular benefits for individuals with type 2 diabetes. The research found that platelet aggregation increased over the standard 24-hour dosing interval when aspirin was only taken once daily, suggesting a need for antiplatelet treatment that covers ...
A new study found that opioid prescription use increased significantly between 1999 and 2014, driven by patients taking medication for 90 days or longer. Long-term use was associated with greater risk for addiction and overdose, as well as concurrent use of benzodiazepines.
Many pregnant women rely on the internet for medication safety information due to limited guidance from healthcare providers. Online searches reveal that health service sites are the most common source of information, with e-pharmacies being less frequently used.
A Rice University study has found that the aspirin-like drug diflunisal blocks the action of prestin, a key protein required for hearing. The research suggests potential repurposing of diflunisal as a treatment for cancer and amyloid polyneuropathy.
Case Western Reserve researchers refine an electrical nerve-block implant to treat asthma and heart failure, focusing on blocking unwanted nerve impulses in the autonomic nervous system. The technology aims to provide a reliable, rapid, and reversible nerve block as an alternative to surgery or drugs.
A study found that ibuprofen, a commonly prescribed NSAID, increases blood pressure and is associated with a higher incidence of hypertension in patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Celecoxib, on the other hand, showed a slight decrease in blood pressure, while naproxen had a relatively small increase.
The LSU Health New Orleans will investigate the effectiveness of the Adenowire in reversing coronary vasoconstriction and preventing no-reflow phenomenon. The technology has the potential to improve outcomes for millions of people worldwide affected by cardiovascular disease.
The COMPASS trial found that the combination of rivaroxaban and aspirin reduces major adverse cardiovascular and limb events by 31%, lowering cardiovascular death, stroke or heart attack by 28% and limb-threatening ischaemia by 46%. Rivaroxaban alone does not reduce major adverse cardiovascular events but lowers major adverse limb events.
The COMPASS trial found that combining rivaroxaban and aspirin improved survival by 18% and reduced cardiovascular death, stroke, or heart attack by 24%. The treatment also increased bleeding risk but showed significant net benefits for patients.
A major international study found that combining two drugs, rivaroxaban and aspirin, is superior to aspirin alone in preventing further heart complications in people with vascular disease. The combination reduced strokes, heart attacks, and cardiovascular death by practically 25% compared to either drug alone.
Researchers discuss evolving treatments and future therapies for osteoarthritis pain, highlighting the limitations of existing treatments and introducing new potential treatment targets. Combination therapies and biomarkers are also explored as promising approaches to improve effective pain treatment.
Researchers have discovered a potent pain reliever, UKH-1114, that targets the sigma 2 receptor to alleviate neuropathic pain. The compound is as effective as gabapentin but works at a lower dose and longer duration, offering a potential alternative to opioids.
Scientists at McGill University have discovered a new biological pathway involved in pain processing, which could lead to the use of existing cancer drugs as alternatives to opioids. The researchers found that EGFR blockers were as potent analgesics as morphine in mouse models of inflammatory and chronic pain.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that more than two-thirds of patients reported unused prescription opioids after surgery, highlighting an important source for nonmedical use. The study also revealed low rates of safe storage and disposal practices, contributing to opioid-related injuries and deaths.
A study found that between 42-71% of prescribed opioids went unused among patients, highlighting the need for personalized pain management. Patients often store prescription opioids improperly and fail to dispose of unused pills safely.
Patients taking opioids prior to ACL surgery are more likely to be on pain medications longer, according to a recent study. The research found that those who were filling opioid prescriptions before surgery were 10 times more likely to be using them five months after surgery.
A study of nearly 2200 older patients found that 44% were prescribed antiplatelet drugs, with 52% of primary prevention patients overprescribed and 31% of secondary prevention patients underprescribed. This highlights the need for personalized treatment strategies in this patient population.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University discovered a novel way phosphorylation affects protein function and localization, leading to increased pain sensitivity. The study offers a new target for developing alternative pain medications and provides a tool for studying synaptic development and pathology.
A widely used drug screening tool has been found to be seriously flawed, incorrectly flagging many active compounds as potential PAINS. The University of North Carolina study analyzed thousands of compounds and found that majority do not exhibit interference with drug-candidate screening technology.
A new study found a 100% increase in medication errors per 100,000 U.S. residents from 2000 to 2012, with cardiovascular and analgesic medications being the most common causes of serious outcomes. Parents and caregivers are advised to keep written logs of medication administration to prevent errors.
A new nurse-led intervention helps carers manage medication and cancer pain, offering a systematic and comprehensive approach to supporting carer management of pain medicines. The intervention promotes self-evaluation of competence and addresses carers' beliefs, knowledge, and skills.
A new trial by University of Exeter researchers found that taking low-dose aspirin before bed can reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia, a condition causing premature birth and maternal and foetal death. The study showed a 62% reduction in pre-term preeclampsia rates.
A new analysis of 2006-2014 Medicare data found that 41% of rheumatoid arthritis patients were regular opioid users by 2014. Factors associated with regular opioid use included younger age, female sex, and back pain.
A study found that empathetic touch can synchronize heart rates and breathing between partners, reducing pain during childbirth. The researchers recruited 22 couples to participate in a series of tests, where they were subjected to mild heat pain on their forearm while holding hands or not.
Researchers at The University of Nottingham have discovered that a plant extract from Carpolobia lutea may help protect brain chemical messengers in people with Alzheimer's disease. The study found the extract to be highly effective in preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter linked to memory and learning.
A new study reveals that individuals with low back pain who are also depressed are more likely to receive opioid prescriptions and higher doses. This finding sheds light on the current opioid epidemic and highlights the need for further research into prescribing patterns.
A study found that acetaminophen is effective in preventing acute mountain sickness, with no significant difference in incidence and severity compared to ibuprofen. The study suggests that acetaminophen may be an alternative prophylactic treatment for AMS, potentially offering fewer side effects.
A world's largest randomized controlled trial found acupuncture as effective as pain medicine in providing long-term relief for patients with considerable pain. Despite initial pain persistence, acupuncture was deemed a viable treatment option for those unable to take standard drugs due to medical conditions.
A study found that fatal overdose risk increases steadily with daily opioid dose among Medicaid patients, up to five times higher for moderate to high doses. Concurrent use of benzodiazepines or skeletal muscle relaxants further elevates the risk, even at low doses.
Studies highlight limitations in current PsA treatment, with self-reported pain being common despite biologic therapies. Comorbidities like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and depression negatively impact PsA treatment adherence and response.
Women are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease due to longer lifespan and differences in drug absorption, distribution, and metabolism compared to men. The European Society of Cardiology recommends sex-specific guidelines for cardiovascular drugs to minimize adverse reactions.
Long-term daily aspirin use increases risk of disabling or fatal bleeding in people aged 75 or over. Co-prescribing proton-pump inhibitors can reduce this risk by up to 90%. Studies have shown that the benefits of long-term PPI use outweigh the risks for patients in this age group.
A new review investigates the relationship between pain and opioid misuse, revealing that pain can drastically change the brain's natural opioid system. The study aims to understand how pain affects addiction treatment, with the ultimate goal of developing more effective treatments for chronic pain.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that most women who undergo a cesarean childbirth are prescribed more opioid pain medications than needed when released from the hospital. Most patients use opioids for an average of eight days after discharge, with many storing unused tablets in unlocked locations.
A pilot study found that patients following cesarean delivery often receive double the number of pain pills they need, leading to unused medication. Using a shared decision-making tool reduced opioid prescriptions by 50%.
Researchers at SLU have identified a key molecular pathway driving cancer-related bone pain and discovered a potential solution with an existing drug. A new study provides hope for patients suffering from this debilitating condition.
Researchers found that aspirin is marginally beneficial for those who have had a previous heart attack or stroke, but offers no apparent benefit for patients with no prior history of cardiovascular issues. The study suggests that further clinical trials are needed to confirm the findings.
Researchers at UCSF found a significant association between chronic pain and faster declines in memory function and increased risk of dementia in older adults. The study suggests that chronic pain could be related to changes in the brain contributing to cognitive decline.
New research finds that older patients can tolerate more post-operative pain, despite reduced functional impairment. However, age may influence how much pain is reported due to social reasons or increased pain perception.