Research on pain-relieving drugs. Covers new pain-management startups, omega-3 approaches, drug safety, and AI-driven drug discovery.
A new study reveals that older types of arthritis medicine, like Diclofenac, are associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, similar to other NSAID types taken off the market. The study recommends reduced consumption and alternative treatments for patients at high risk of cardiovascular diseases.
A large-scale analysis of pain-relief medication for osteoarthritis found that paracetamol does not meet the minimum standard of clinical effectiveness in reducing pain or improving physical function. Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), was found to be more effective for short-term pain relief.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that mindfulness meditation does not employ the body's opioids to reduce pain, but instead uses a different pathway to provide significant pain relief. The researchers used a thermal probe to induce pain and observed a 24% reduction in pain ratings among meditation participants.
Regular low-dose aspirin use for at least six years was associated with a modestly reduced overall risk for cancer, primarily due to a lower risk for gastrointestinal tract cancer. The study found that regular aspirin use may complement CRC screening and have an absolute benefit regardless of endoscopy status.
The study found that regular aspirin use significantly reduces the overall risk of cancer, with a 19% lower risk of colorectal cancer. Aspirin may complement, but not replace, cancer screening methods like colonoscopy, and has potential benefits for individuals with risk factors.
Two studies found that steroid injections received in the months prior to total knee and hip replacement surgeries may increase the risk of infection. Injections containing corticosteroids suppress the immune system, making patients more susceptible to severe post-operative infections.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have identified two molecules, HMGB1 and MMP-9, involved in maintaining nerve pain after injury. Blocking these molecules alleviated pain in mice without negative effects on healing.
Kyoto University engineers have developed genetically modified E. coli that produce thebaine, a morphine precursor, 300 times more efficiently than yeast. This breakthrough could lead to the production of painkillers from microbes with low regulatory risk.
Researchers discovered that Rac1 activates a cascade of reactions in nerve cells associated with inflammatory pain. Inhibiting Rac1 using NSC23766 reduced pain hypersensitivity in rats injected with bee venom. These findings suggest potential for new drugs to treat chronic inflammatory pain.
A study by the University of Houston and UTMB found that urine drug screenings for chronic pain patients increase patient safety but raise the risk that patients won't return for future treatment. The screenings were associated with a higher no-show rate among patients, even those who tested negative.
A new literature review suggests that a team-based care approach, combining newer pain management strategies, is key to maximizing patient outcomes after total knee replacement (TKR) procedures. Multimodal protocols, including regional anesthesia and intra-operative pain injections, have been shown to lower patient pain severity rating...
Researchers found that guideline-concordant care, including mental health services and substance abuse treatment, can significantly reduce the risk of death for patients on opioid painkillers. Patients who received these services were 50% less likely to die within six months.
Researchers used functional MRI to assess the effectiveness of new pain medications in patients with chronic pain. The study found that FMRI can provide objective evidence to prevent premature discarding of potentially beneficial therapies.
The report reveals that high-income western countries and regions are driving the increase in opioid use, while poorer nations face significant barriers to access including affordability, lack of awareness, and onerous regulations
Blocking receptors inside nerve cells may offer a more effective and safer pain relief option by reducing drug-induced side effects. The study found that targeting glutamate receptors in the nucleus of spinal nerve cells can effectively relieve neuropathic pain in rats, with no changes in pain sensitivity observed in normal rats.
A recent survey found that almost 20% of respondents reported some form of non-prescription medicine misuse or abuse over their lifetime. The study also highlights the risk factors associated with such behavior, including younger age and long-standing illnesses.
A new study in veterans found that the threshold for safe prescribing may be lower than most people think, with overdose victims receiving higher doses on average. Lowering top prescription strengths below a 100 MEM threshold could benefit those at risk of an overdose while affecting few patients who aren't at risk.
A new study has developed a painkiller that targets the same opioid receptor as morphine but with fewer side effects. The peptide-based drug produced longer pain relief without respiratory depression and impaired motor coordination, unlike morphine.
A recent study suggests that using paracetamol during pregnancy may reduce female fertility in subsequent generations. Researchers tested the effects of paracetamol and another painkiller on rats and found that female offspring had fewer eggs, smaller ovaries, and reduced reproductive function compared to those not exposed to the drugs.
A recent study found that medical provider training, new clinic policies, and tapering opioid use can significantly reduce the level of opioid medication used by patients. However, women had less success with the tapering approach. The research also highlighted the need for close collaboration between doctors, pharmacists, and patients...
A University of Alberta study found that patients without opioid prescriptions experienced improved physical functioning and reduced disability compared to those who received opioid treatment for neuropathic pain. The research suggests a graded approach to physical activity may help improve function despite chronic pain.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued advice for prescribing antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections in adults. Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to antibiotic-resistant infections, posing a public health threat. Guidelines recommend symptomatic therapy fo...
Researchers review studies on PrEP and aspirin, finding similar low rates of serious side effects. PrEP works well to prevent HIV when taken daily, supporting efforts to make it available over-the-counter.
A Michigan State University study reveals that 14- and 15-year-olds are at a higher risk of becoming dependent on prescription drugs within a year after using them beyond the prescribed amount. The research also confirms that peak risk for starting to use prescription painkillers is seen at 16 and 17 years old.
A study found that NSAIDs and opiates had no significant difference in pain scores, but NSAID use was associated with more rescue medication. Smaller chest tubes reduced pain, but efficacy has not been proven.
Scientists have developed a new treatment strategy that restores a brain region controlling emotions and reduces chronic pain behavior in animal models. The combined drugs target brain circuits and eliminate chronic pain when administered together shortly after an injury.
Researchers found that a crackdown on pill mills in Florida led to an estimated 1,029 fewer opioid-related overdose deaths between 2003-2012. The state's increased oversight of pain clinics may have prevented new cases of heroin addiction from developing.
A new University of Sydney study reveals that recreational drug use among young people is a significant harm with potentially lethal consequences. Males under 30 are at greatest risk, with stimulants being the most commonly linked substance to recreational poisonings.
A study found that syringe service programs are scarce in rural and suburban areas, where rates of opioid addiction are on the rise. The programs, which exchange used needles for new ones, reduce the risk of HIV transmission and overdose. Despite their benefits, many SSPs struggle with recruitment, funding, and staffing issues.
A Singapore-led team, with support from the Swiss Rising Tide Foundation, is conducting a Phase III clinical trial to evaluate Aspirin as secondary prevention therapy for patients with established colorectal cancer. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of Aspirin in reducing cancer recurrence and mortality.
New studies from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that aspirin use is not associated with improved clinical outcomes or survival among breast cancer patients. However, another study suggests that aspirin may help reduce breast tissue density, which could lead to earlier detection of some breast cancers.
Researchers at University at Buffalo find that motivational interviewing significantly reduces the risk of opioid misuse and abuse among older adults with chronic pain. The intervention increases motivation, self-efficacy, and confidence in changing behavior, while also decreasing depression and anxiety.
Scientists have discovered a potential solution to chronic pain by identifying the key ingredient responsible for painlessness in people born with a rare genetic mutation. By combining low-dose opioids with Nav1.7 blockers, researchers hope to replicate the effect and develop new treatments for millions of patients worldwide.
A new study found that patients who undergo hip-replacement surgery experience a surge in pain medication use before and immediately after surgery, but this trend reverses in the long term. Medication use for insomnia and anxiety also increases before surgery and decreases afterward.
A study found that aspirin's breakdown product salicylic acid blocks cell death associated with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease by inhibiting the GAPDH enzyme. Derivatives of salicylic acid may hold promise for treating multiple neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have created a comprehensive catalog of known animal toxins and their physiological effects on humans, summarizing nearly 42,723 effects on the body. The Venom Knowledge Base (VenomKB) may spur the discovery of new compounds and medical treatments for various diseases.
A new review of 45 years of medical literature found relatively few cases of meperidine-associated seizures, with coexisting conditions often contributing to the increased risk. The study concludes that meperidine's role as an effective anti-shivering agent should continue to be explored.
Researchers have identified a biochemical pathway regulated by aspirin, which decreases the level of 2-hydroxyglutarate, a driver of cancer development. This study adds to the evidence for aspirin's importance in cancer prevention and highlights a new pathway worth further investigation.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus discovered that patients given opioid pain medication on discharge had a 25% higher risk of becoming chronic users. The study found that medical patients were more likely to progress to chronic use compared to surgical patients.
A nationwide study found that minorities are less likely to receive analgesic medications for abdominal pain at US emergency departments. Black and Hispanic patients experience prolonged ED lengths of stay and were less likely to be hospitalized for their ailments.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that minority patients with acute abdominal pain are less likely to receive analgesic medications, with black patients experiencing the greatest undertreatment. The study also found disparities in hospital waiting times and admission rates among minority groups.
A new study presents a regenerative agent, Cacicol, that speeds up the healing of corneal tissue after surgery, reducing recovery time by up to 70% and minimizing complications. The treatment also alleviates eye pain, burning, and light sensitivity.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that COX-2 drugs may cause cardiovascular problems due to prostaglandin production by macrophages. The researchers hope to develop new, targeted painkillers without the vascular effects of existing medications.
A study on medicines stored in space for up to 550 days revealed that they do not degrade faster than on Earth. The research found that some medications were still viable beyond their expiration dates, while others showed minimal degradation.
A study published in The AAPS Journal suggests that medication degradation does not differ significantly between space and Earth. Nine medications were analyzed after being stored for up to 11 months in space, with some remaining viable beyond their expiration dates.
A recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that mindfulness meditation reduced pain intensity by 27% and emotional aspect of pain by 44%, compared to a 11% reduction in sensation of pain and 13% reduction in emotional aspect with placebo cream. Mindfulness meditation also activated brain regions associated with self-...
Patients undergoing atrial septal defect closure experienced fewer migraines with dual antiplatelet therapy, showing a lower incidence of attacks and less severe symptoms. Researchers observed no significant increase in adverse events between dual and single antiplatelet therapy.
A study published in the journal Biology of Sex Differences found that over half of female methadone clinic patients reported doctor-prescribed painkillers as their first contact with opioid drugs. The study highlights the importance of considering gender differences in treatment options for opioid addiction. Researchers noted that wom...
A study found that more than half of female methadone clinic patients started with doctor-prescribed painkillers, while men were more likely to be working and smoke cigarettes. The researchers highlighted the need for better treatment options tailored to women's demographics and health needs.
A recent study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology found that 34% of patients with cardiovascular disease were incorrectly labeled as having an aspirin allergy due to gastrointestinal symptoms. In reality, only 2.5% of patients had a true aspirin hypersensitivity.
Researchers found that middle-aged white Americans have seen a sharp increase in death rates after 1998, primarily caused by drug and alcohol poisoning, chronic liver disease, and cirrhosis. This trend reverses decades of progress and is not seen in other rich countries or minority groups.
A retrospective survival analysis of 229 patients with late-stage cancer found that those who received methylnaltrexone lived twice as long and had fewer tumor progression reports compared to placebo groups. The study suggests methylnaltrexone may play a role in cancer therapy, but the exact mechanism is unclear.
Scientists at the University of Manchester have shown that the number of opiate receptors in the brain increases to combat severe pain in arthritis sufferers. By applying heat, they found a correlation between higher receptor numbers and increased ability to withstand pain.
The world's largest clinical trial on aspirin to prevent cancer recurrence has launched in the UK. The Add-Aspirin trial will recruit 11,000 patients and run for up to 12 years to determine if daily aspirin intake can stop or delay cancers from returning.
A study published in JAMA found that combining a muscle relaxant or opioid with an NSAID did not provide better pain relief for patients with acute low back pain. Despite this, nearly two-thirds of patients demonstrated clinically significant improvement in LBP and function within one week.
Researchers identified salicylic acid as a powerful inhibitor of HMGB1, a protein linked to various diseases. The findings may lead to the development of more effective aspirin-like drugs.
A majority of Americans support policies to control opioid painkiller abuse, including better medical training, patient verification, and treatment. The study found that most people blame doctors and abusers for the crisis, with broad backing for most policy recommendations.
A large study found that aspirin use after a cancer diagnosis significantly increases overall survival rates for patients with gastrointestinal tumours. The researchers analysed data from nearly 14,000 patients and discovered a strong association between aspirin use and improved survival.
The ESMO Global Opioid Policy Initiative reveals disparities in opioid access across the globe, with the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia showing limited access to essential pain relieving medication. The addition of new Designated Centres brings polices tailored to patient needs, promoting a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care.
Boston Medical Center (BMC) has significantly reduced the average wait time for pediatric patients experiencing severe pain from sickle cell disease from 56 minutes to 23 minutes. The hospital's quality improvement initiative also improved care by reducing the time to administer pain medication and increase patient-controlled analgesics.