Research on pain-relieving drugs. Covers new pain-management startups, omega-3 approaches, drug safety, and AI-driven drug discovery.
Researchers found a link between negative emotions and higher opioid use in people with sickle cell disease, particularly with low pain levels. Negative thinking also played a role in short-acting opioid use, especially when pain was reported as high.
A new study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology demonstrates pain relief in humans using a Trk inhibitor. The study involved 20 participants and compared the inhibitor with pregabalin, ibuprofen, and placebo.
A study found that denying patient requests for services, such as referrals and medication, is associated with lower patient satisfaction. The findings suggest that clinicians' decisions to deny these requests may penalize their patients and negatively impact their experiences.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown cellular communication method between neurons and immune cells in neuropathic pain. Blocking this method could prevent neuropathic pain without side effects.
A UCLA study found that people are being screened for cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes and high blood pressure more frequently since the ACA implemented. However, a disparity was found in aspirin therapy, with men taking daily doses more often than women.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that intranasal ketamine had more minor side effects such as bad taste and dizziness compared to intranasal fentanyl in children with suspected extremity fractures. No significant differences were observed in efficacy or pain relief between the two drugs.
A pilot study of 15 individuals using oxycodone digital pills found that patients self-administered opioids for only a brief period and took a fraction of the prescribed dose. The technology may enable physicians to monitor adherence and identify escalating opioid use patterns, potentially reducing the risk of addiction.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute developed new opioid pain relievers that are as potent as morphine but do not slow or stop breathing, reducing the risk of overdose. The compounds show a spectrum of bias between signaling pathways, providing an opportunity to expand the therapeutic window and administer drugs safely.
Researchers discuss conventional versus newly introduced treatment modalities for managing orthodontic pain, highlighting the importance of individualized assessment and case-by-case decision-making.
A new study reveals that codeine was still being prescribed to one in 20 children undergoing tonsil and adenoid surgery two years after the FDA issued a warning about its risks. The research suggests safer alternatives like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be effective for managing post-surgical pain.
Researchers separate pain relief and breathing effects in opioids, revealing a 'biased signaling' mechanism with a 'therapeutic window' of safer alternatives. This finding could lead to new opioid medications without the risk of respiratory failure.
A new study found that 1 in 20 children received codeine after tonsil and adenoid removal surgeries, despite the FDA warning on significant safety risks. The researchers recommend increasing efforts to eliminate inappropriate prescribing and encouraging non-opioid medications.
Recent revisions to major international guidelines for the management of low back pain recommend shifting from pain medicines to non-medicinal approaches such as yoga, mindfulness, and physiotherapy. GPs are now unlikely to prescribe pain medicines, encouraging a more holistic approach to treating LBP.
Researchers are developing abuse-deterrent opioids with special coatings or infusions to make them harder to misuse, but at a higher cost. Novel painkillers and powerful opioid detectors are also being developed to help combat the crisis.
A Canadian-led study found that perioperative aspirin can prevent heart-related complications after major noncardiac surgery in patients with previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). For every 1,000 patients with PCI, giving them aspirin at the time of noncardiac surgery would prevent 59 heart attacks and cause eight major bl...
A study of middle-aged adults found that functional impairment was common among the cohort and often progressed to further physical decline or death over a 10-year follow-up. The findings challenge the notion that functional impairment is temporary in middle age and suggest a need for early intervention.
Research on opioid addiction has made significant progress in understanding its impact on brain development, fear, anxiety, and memory. Studies have found that opioids can influence these processes, potentially contributing to substance use disorders and dependence.
A study of 62 rhinoplasty patients found that they used an average of nine hydrocodone-acetaminophen tablets, with 46 patients using 15 or fewer tablets. The most common adverse effects were drowsiness, nausea, and constipation.
A randomized clinical trial found no important differences in pain reduction between ibuprofen-acetaminophen and opioid-acetaminophen combinations after 2 hours. The study suggests that ibuprofen-acetaminophen is a reasonable alternative to opioid management of acute extremity pain, but further research is warranted.
A preclinical study suggests a novel mechanism for treating pain without the addictive side effects of current opioid medications. The use of positive allosteric modulators enhances the effect of pain-relief chemicals naturally produced by the body, providing stronger and longer-lasting pain relief.
A randomized, double-blind study found that haloperidol reduces nausea and pain in patients with acute gastroparesis, suggesting it as a promising adjunctive therapy. The addition of haloperidol to conventional therapy is better than conventional therapy alone without side effects.
Researchers have successfully tested a new molecule capable of preventing peripheral neuropathy induced by chemotherapy in cancer patients. The molecule has shown positive results in reducing the appearance of disorders associated with nerve dysfunction.
The opioid epidemic has reached crisis proportions, with nearly 90 opioid overdose deaths per day in the US. Anesthesiologists and pain medicine physicians can take a leading role in identifying and solving the issues by using non-opioid drugs and emerging treatments.
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 single-center study of 1,009 patients found that opioid-free general anesthesia significantly decreased postoperative nausea. The alternative pain management options used during surgery and after recovery showed high patient satisfaction rates.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 ...
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.