Research on pain-relieving drugs. Covers new pain-management startups, omega-3 approaches, drug safety, and AI-driven drug discovery.
A new study from The George Institute found that pregabalin treatment did not relieve pain but caused side effects like dizziness. Despite this, many patients reported being satisfied with the treatment, highlighting the need for alternative management options for sciatica.
A Phase 2 study found that replacing aspirin with low-dose rivaroxaban in addition to an antiplatelet medication does not increase bleeding complications in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The study, which involved over 3,000 patients, suggests that this dual therapy approach may be a safe alternative to lifelong aspirin treatment.
A low-dose blood-thinning medication reduced VTE recurrences more than threefold compared to aspirin without increasing bleeding side effects, according to a large international study. The study's findings support the use of rivaroxaban as a safe and effective treatment option for patients at risk for recurrent VTE.
A large international study found that rivaroxaban is more effective and safer than aspirin at preventing recurrent blood clots. The study showed that patients taking rivaroxaban had significantly lower rates of recurrent clots compared to those taking aspirin.
Research links common painkillers diclofenac and ibuprofen to increased risk of cardiac arrest, with diclofenac being the most hazardous. The study advises limiting ibuprofen to 1200mg per day and avoiding diclofenac in patients with cardiovascular disease or high-risk factors.
Researchers at UC Davis Health found that doctors and patients often have differing priorities for pain treatment, with patients seeking to reduce pain intensity and physicians focusing on improving physical function. The study recommends pain-focused communication training to improve doctor-patient agreements.
Researchers propose a $10 billion public-private partnership to fund new research on pain biology and development of non-addictive medications. The plan focuses on understanding individual variability in response to pain, biomarkers for drug efficacy, and complementary approaches such as acupuncture and mindfulness techniques.
Researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have discovered a new mechanism of action for painkillers that produces substantial pain relief in inflamed tissues without causing severe side effects. The prototype, NFEPP-prototype, binds to opioid receptors only in acidic environments, avoiding respiratory depression and dependency.
A recent study by Georgia State University researchers found that female brains have more active immune cells in pain processing regions. This leads to improved response to opioid pain medication, often less effective in females.
A study analyzing nearly 30,000 liver transplant patients found elevated death and organ loss rates among those with high opioid use while waiting for a transplant. Transplant candidates requiring high levels of opioids should be carefully assessed before and after transplantation.
A new wireless patch has shown significant results in reducing migraine pain, with 64% of participants experiencing a 50% or greater reduction in pain after using the device. The study found that starting stimulation within 20 minutes of a migraine's onset was more effective in reducing pain.
A study found a significant association between increased use of antithrombotic drugs and subdural hematoma incidence in Denmark from 2000 to 2015. The risk was highest for patients taking multiple anticoagulant medications, particularly those combining vitamin K antagonists with antiplatelet drugs.
A novel non-pharmacological approach using green LED has shown promising results in treating neuropathic pain in rats with no side effects observed. The therapy may work by increasing levels of endogenous opioids, which inhibit pain and decrease inflammation.
Researchers found that a subgroup of NSAIDs also act strongly on another family of enzymes called caspases, which play a key role in aggressive immune responses like sepsis. The study suggests that these drugs could be repurposed to address other conditions and develop safer versions.
Scientists at the University of Utah have discovered a compound from the venom of a small Caribbean Sea snail that blocks pain by targeting a distinct pathway not associated with opioid drugs. The benefits of the compound continue even after it has cleared the body, suggesting a potential new therapy for chronic pain.
A Saint Louis University researcher is using a $363,000 grant to test two molecules as potential biomarkers for four debilitating health conditions: chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, and vulvodynia. The goal is to develop new painkillers that target these pathways.
The American College of Physicians recommends treating acute and subacute low back pain with non-pharmaceutical therapies like heat, massage, and spinal manipulation. For chronic low back pain, exercise, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, and acupuncture are shown to improve symptoms.
Researchers propose that aspirin's anti-tumor effect is due to its ability to block platelet interaction with cancer cells. The study suggests that aspirin can curb tumor growth by reducing circulating platelets and their activity.
New research from The George Institute for Global Health reveals that commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs provide limited short-term pain relief and cause significant side effects. The study highlights the need for developing new therapies to treat back pain, which affects 80% of Australians during their lifetime.
A new study suggests that widely used pain relievers may increase the risk of a heart attack when used during a cold or flu-like illness. Researchers found a stronger association with a heart attack when both an acute respiratory infection and NSAID use were present, with a 3.4-fold increased risk for a heart attack.
A recent MIT study reveals that online retail prices often match those in stores, with prices converging at around 72% of the time. The study examines data from 10 major countries and suggests that companies aim to appear 'fair' by maintaining consistent prices.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that liver injury activates blood clotting, which then stimulates liver repair using an experimental model of high-dosage acetaminophen. The study identified fibrinogen as a critical protein in this process.
A study of over 100,000 surgical cases at UVA Health System found patients' pain scores improved even as opioids were given fewer times. The average amount of opioids given per surgery declined 37%, while non-opioid pain medications increased by 120%.
Researchers found that RGS9-2 promotes addiction to oxycodone in both pain-free and chronic pain states. The protein also plays a protective role against oxycodone tolerance. Understanding the mechanisms of oxycodone action can help develop new, less addictive pain management strategies.
The war on drugs has devastating effects on human rights and public health worldwide. Experts call for drug policy reform, citing mass incarceration's failure to deter drug consumption or trafficking. They also highlight the lack of access to medicines like morphine to treat pain in millions of people.
Researchers have identified a non-addictive pathway to pain relief by targeting endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. The study suggests that selective activation of CB2 receptors can contribute to the medicinal benefits of cannabis while minimizing the risk of tolerance and withdrawal.
A recent study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine reports a case of a 6-year-old child who ingested liquid nicotine from an e-cigarette, requiring intubation and ICU admission. The patient's mother had mixed the liquid herself, resulting in a highly concentrated substance that caused severe symptoms and altered mental status.
Research suggests that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can prevent the recurrence of advanced neoplasia after polyp removal, with ibuprofen showing superior benefits over aspirin or supplements. However, the choice of NSAID should be individualized based on patient risk factors and health considerations.
A computer simulation developed by Johns Hopkins researchers helps predict the potential impact of a new short-course treatment regimen for drug-resistant tuberculosis. The model suggests that this regimen could lower MDR-TB incidence in Southeast Asia by 23% over eight years, potentially averting over 100,000 cases annually.
A Brigham and Women's Hospital study found that using ibuprofen or acetaminophen for 6 years or more increases the risk of hearing loss in women. The research analyzed data from over 54,000 women and found a modest increase in risk, with approximately 5.5% of hearing loss potentially due to pain reliever use.
Researchers identified a substance called OB-1 that suppresses neuropathic pain caused by nerve injuries or diabetes without affecting other sensations. The compound tunes down the ion channel responsible for mechanical hypersensitivity, providing a new strategy for treating painful conditions.
Researchers developed a 'biased' KOR agonist that suppresses pain and itch while avoiding common side effects like sedation and dysphoria. This breakthrough offers a promising new way to treat pain and intractable itch without the potential for abuse.
A Cardiff University study found that regular aspirin use does not significantly increase the risk of fatal stomach bleeds. The research suggests that the benefits of aspirin in reducing heart disease and cancer deaths outweigh the risks.
A cross-sectional study found that HIV-positive patients with chronic pain did not experience significant functional interference, maintaining high activity levels. This contradicts previous assumptions and highlights the complex relationship between HIV-related pain and physical activity.
A new USC study found that taking low-dose aspirin every day can reduce the risk of heart attack, prevent some cancers, and extend life. The daily regimen is estimated to have a net health benefit worth $692 billion for the US population over 20 years.
Researchers at Indiana University's Biocomplexity Institute developed a virtual model of the human liver to analyze drug absorption. The study suggests that virtual tissues models could play an important role in modern pharmacokinetics, reducing the risk of overdose from drugs like acetaminophen.
A recent study found that approximately one-third of Alzheimer's patients use prescription pain relievers, comparable to those without the disease. However, the type and frequency of analgesics used differed significantly between groups. Paracetamol was most commonly used, while anti-inflammatory medications were less frequent.
Research into kratom's unique pharmacologic properties could be stifled if the DEA proceeds with a Schedule 1 classification. The herb's active compounds, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, show promise in treating pain and opioid withdrawal.
A study found that adverse drug events in the US resulted in an estimated 4 ED visits per 1,000 individuals annually in 2013-2014. Anticoagulants and diabetes agents were implicated in 47% of these events, with older adults experiencing higher hospitalization rates.
A new study compared the effectiveness of opioids and NSAIDs in treating persistent pain after car crashes, finding no significant difference in pain risk but a higher likelihood of ongoing opioid use among patients prescribed opioids.
A new study found that nurse-led medicines monitoring can prevent serious adverse side effects of mental health medicines and recognize previously unnoticed health problems. The research, published in the Nursing Standard, showed that Profile-driven monitoring helped identify life-threatening issues and unmet needs in patients.
A new approach to solid-phase extraction of ibuprofen from pharmaceuticals has been successfully developed using zirconium dioxide as the extraction material. The procedure demonstrated efficient trapping of ibuprofen in hydrophobic suppository matrices, with recoveries of 95% and 94%, respectively.
A recent study found that one-third of people initiating opioid use became long-term users, particularly those using transdermal patches. Long-term opioid use was comparable to that of non-dementia individuals, but combined with benzodiazepines, it poses a significant risk.
A large clinical trial found that a combination of propofol and ketamine was as effective as propofol alone for sedating adults in emergency departments. The study debunked concerns about ketamine causing adverse psychological reactions, revealing similar outcomes and high patient satisfaction rates.
The Lancet Commission estimates the monthly cost of a basic package of 201 essential medicines could be as low as $1-2 per person, addressing universal health coverage goals. However, many countries spend less than this amount on medicines, highlighting the need for additional financing to meet basic healthcare needs.
Researchers pinpoint unique brain region for placebo response in pain relief, enabling targeted pain therapy and more accurate clinical trials. This finding could lead to personalized medicine for the 100 million Americans with chronic pain.
Michigan Medicine launches initiative to help doctors and hospitals across the state care for surgical pain without setting up chronic opioid use or addiction. The network will collect data on opioid prescribing patterns to combat the epidemic.
A study by University at Buffalo researchers found that non-medical use of prescription drugs, particularly anxiolytics/sedatives, can lead to negative sexual events among college students. Over 14% of students who misused these drugs experienced regretted sex, and 7.1% reported being victims of sexual assault.
A new study found that nearly three-fourths of patients who sustain major trauma and receive an opiate prescription discontinue use by one month after hospital discharge. Only a few factors, including older age, lower socioeconomic status, and longer hospital stays, increased the chance for prolonged opiate use.
A study found that open-label placebo treatment reduced initial pain and disability scores by approximately 30% in patients with chronic low back pain. This approach harnesses the placebo effect without deception, offering a potential solution to improve treatment of back pain.
Researchers found that ibuprofen arginate is better tolerated, released more rapidly into the bloodstream, and provides faster pain relief compared to current formulations. This new formulation may negate cardiovascular side effects associated with high doses of ibuprofen.
A study found that patients who knowingly took a placebo pill alongside traditional treatment for lower back pain saw more improvement than those given treatment alone. The placebo effect was triggered by the patient-clinician relationship and ritual of taking pills, rather than conscious expectation of an active medicine.
Aspirin has been found to have a molecular link that explains its ability to reduce the risk of both cardiovascular disease and colon cancer. The researchers discovered a gene regulatory protein that not only influences platelet function but also suppresses tumors in the colon.
The NIH review found that acupuncture, yoga, and tai chi are effective for managing back pain and osteoarthritis. Massage therapy and relaxation techniques also show promise in reducing severe headaches and migraine symptoms.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have identified a novel pain-killing compound, BU08028, that is not addictive and provides safe and effective pain relief without respiratory side effects. The study showed that the compound blocked the detection of pain for up to 30 hours and did not cause physical dependence.
A recent Phase 3 clinical trial led by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that a new nasal spray anesthetic called Kovanaze is effective in preventing pain during dental procedures. The study showed that the compound was comparable to commonly used injectable numbing agents and had minimal side effects.
The study found that calcium channel blockers like verapamil and amlodipine work differently to treat heart arrhythmias and hypertension. Verapamil physically blocks pores to restore normal heart rhythm, while amlodipine indirectly prevents pore opening, relaxing blood vessels without affecting the heart.
A study of nearly 3,400 military veterans over 10 years found that those who misused opioid painkillers had a very high likelihood of also beginning to use heroin. Non-medical use of prescription painkillers was the biggest predictor of heroin use.
Researchers at Georgia State University identified a brain mechanism that prevents morphine tolerance and addiction. Blocking a particular cytokine eliminated morphine tolerance, reducing the dose required for pain relief by half.
A new study found that young children with mild, persistent asthma can tolerate acetaminophen without worsening their symptoms. The study, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, compared acetaminophen to ibuprofen in 300 children aged 1-5 years old.