Research on pain-relieving drugs. Covers new pain-management startups, omega-3 approaches, drug safety, and AI-driven drug discovery.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found that a small RNA molecule in sensory neurons regulates how touch is perceived, leading to increased pain sensitivity after nerve damage. The study's results suggest that microRNA-based drugs could be a promising treatment option for chronic nerve pain.
Researchers discovered a new GPCR, substance P neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R), that signals from the inside of neurons to sustain excitation and transmit pain. Targeting NK1R internalization alleviated pain in rats using modified compounds, offering prolonged pain relief.
Researchers have developed a new drug delivery strategy to block pain within nerve cells, offering a major breakthrough in treating chronic pain. The target protein, NK1 receptor, is controlled once it enters the cell, allowing for more effective pain suppression.
A study led by Columbia University Medical Center has shown that chronic pain may occur when pain receptors migrate from the nerve cell's surface to the cell's inner chambers. This discovery may lead to the development of a new class of medications for chronic pain that is more potent and less prone to side effects.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that ketamine does not prevent delirium and does not reduce post-surgical pain, contradicting widespread medical practices. However, higher doses of ketamine were associated with increased negative effects such as hallucinations and nightmares.
A new study published in The Lancet found that ketamine does not reduce postoperative pain or prevent delirium, but may cause hallucinations and nightmares in older patients. Researchers evaluated 672 surgery patients and found no significant effect of ketamine on postoperative pain or delirium.
Researchers discovered that a molecule called PD-L1 can mask pain by suppressing nociceptive neuron activity via PD-1. This finding could lead to the development of predictive tests and treatments for pain, as well as new ways to assess immunotherapy treatment efficacy.
The TOPIC study found that switching from a new P2Y12 inhibitor plus aspirin to maintenance DAPT with aspirin plus clopidogrel one month after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) significantly reduced bleeding risk, with a 70% lower rate of major bleeding events. Ischemic events remained similar between the two regimens.
A study by Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute found that long-term aspirin therapy does not lower the risk of stroke for patients with atrial fibrillation who are considered low-risk for stroke. Instead, it increases the risk of gastrointestinal and genitourinary bleeding.
A recent study found a substantial correlation between increased prescriptions for pregabalin and gabapentin and rising overdose deaths. These drugs have become abuse-prone when used with heroin or other opioids, especially due to their association with feelings of loss of control and enhanced heroin effects.
The program resulted in a one-third relative reduction in postoperative complication rates and a 21 percent reduction in opioid prescribing rates. ERAS patients demonstrated significant gains, including increased early ambulation and use of early nutrition.
A study found that commonly prescribed NSAIDs increase the risk of heart attacks, with a 20-50% increased risk compared to non-users. The risk is highest with higher doses and in the first month of use.
Researchers found that psychological interventions like relaxation and stress management reduced pain in several studies, while two dietary interventions and antibiotics also showed effects on abdominal pain. However, further research is needed due to the small and non-conclusive nature of most studies.
Researchers found that chronic sleep loss significantly exacerbates pain sensitivity in mice, but using caffeine or wakefulness-promoting agents like modafinil can block this effect. These findings suggest a new approach to chronic pain management by addressing both sleep and daytime alertness.
A new guideline aims to reduce opioid use for chronic non-cancer pain by optimizing non-opioid therapy, restricting dosing, and tapering opioids. The guideline is focused on preventing harm and reducing addiction, with the goal of addressing Canada's opioid crisis.
A new Canadian clinical guideline recommends reducing opioid medication use for patients with chronic non-cancer pain, prioritizing harm reduction and optimizing non-opioid treatment. The guideline also proposes strict dose limits and trial tapers to minimize risks associated with opioids.
Researchers analyzed FDA Adverse Effect Reporting System data to find that ketamine alleviates depression symptoms in patients taking pain medication. The study also identified three other drugs with previously under-appreciated antidepressant effects: Botox, diclofenac, and minocycline.
A recent study published by City of Hope found that regular use of low-dose aspirin (81mg) reduces the risk of breast cancer in women. The study analyzed data from 57,164 participants in the California Teachers Study and found an overall 16% lower risk of breast cancer in women who took low-dose aspirin at least three times a week.
Researchers found that the p53 protein plays a key role in preventing acetaminophen-induced liver damage and promoting regeneration. Activation of p53 helps prevent injury progression while inhibition stimulates liver repair, offering hope for new treatment options.
Researchers have developed MOFs that can load and deliver ibuprofen, resulting in twice as long-lasting pain relief compared to commercial formulations. The compounds reach the bloodstream quickly and could be used for delivering other drugs orally.
A new study published in Anesthesiology found that methadone significantly reduces the need for opioids after spinal fusion surgery. Patients treated with methadone required less intravenous and oral opioids to manage postoperative pain, reported lower pain scores, and had improved global satisfaction.
Cleveland Clinic researchers found that dietary choline and TMAO levels are associated with increased blood clotting risk. Adding a low dose of aspirin may help mitigate this risk.
A review of eight studies found no link between low-dose aspirin and reduced cognitive decline. Researchers are calling for more research on the potential benefits of long-term aspirin use at younger ages.
Emergency departments are increasingly using intranasal medication administration as an alternative to injections or IVs, offering a fast and noninvasive route to deliver medications directly to the brain. This method requires no needles, is less painful than IVs or injections, and minimizes infectious disease spread.
Researchers analyzed 11 trials involving 6,560 PVD patients and found no significant effect on death rates or major cardiac events. The study suggests that aspirin therapy may not be beneficial for certain patients with peripheral vascular disease.
A new study finds that patients with certain pre-operative conditions, such as smoking or depression, are more likely to become long-term opioid users after surgery. The research suggests that other factors contribute to the risk of prolonged opioid use beyond the normal recovery period.
Researchers discovered new structural details of an angiotensin II receptor called AT2, which could be a target for new medicines. The information uncovered could give drug developers a new path for compounds that combat pain and inflammation or promote tissue regeneration.
Scientists discovered that nerve cells in ganglia can exchange information and modify sensory input to the central nervous system. This finding has potential implications for developing non-addictive painkillers targeting the peripheral nervous system.
A new study by ER docs shows that administering medications via the nose can be a helpful option for certain patients, especially children. Intranasal administration of midazolam, fentanyl, naloxone, ketamine, and dexmedetomidine can provide effective pain relief and seizure treatment.
Patients with good provider communication are more likely to use prescribed cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, take aspirin, and comply with treatment plans. They also experience better health outcomes and lower healthcare expenditures compared to those with poor communication.
Researchers discovered a novel therapeutic target called LPCAT2 that could effectively treat neuropathic pain. The study also identified a platelet alleviating factor (PAF) pain loop that affects neuropathic pain, suggesting potential benefits from PAF-receptor antagonists.
A new analysis found that apixaban, a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC), is superior to warfarin in reducing brain bleeds and stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. The study showed that apixaban reduced intracranial hemorrhage by 58% compared to warfarin.
The American College of Physicians recommends treating substance use disorders as chronic medical conditions with evidence-based public and individual health initiatives. The guidelines aim to improve access to care and reduce the societal burden of these disorders.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) issues recommendations for preventing and treating substance use disorders involving illicit and prescription drugs. Key findings include limited access to care, with only 18% of those needing treatment receiving it, and the need for expanded public health initiatives and improved prescribing pr...
A systematic review found moderate evidence that duloxetine and venlaxine were effective in reducing neuropathy-related pain, while pregabalin and oxcarbazepine showed weak evidence. However, gabapentin was not more effective than placebo.
A new study recommends that pharmacies offer naloxone universally to patients taking opioid medications, without a prescription requirement. This could lead to a significant decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths.