Research on pain-relieving drugs. Covers new pain-management startups, omega-3 approaches, drug safety, and AI-driven drug discovery.
A Rhode Island Hospital researcher found that electronic prescription drug monitoring programs (PMPs) may influence medical care and detect opioid abuse. PMP users were more likely to refer patients to treatment and monitor them with urine screens.
Scientists have discovered a key mechanism in the body's immune system that amplifies opioid addiction. Laboratory studies show that the drug (+)-naloxone selectively blocks this immune-addiction response, reducing cravings for opioid drugs without targeting the brain's wiring.
A recent pooled analysis of randomized trials found a significant decrease in overall cancer mortality associated with daily aspirin use. The study, which looked at data from over 100,000 participants, found a 37% reduction in overall cancer death risk during a five-year follow-up analysis.
A large observational study found daily aspirin use associated with modestly lower cancer mortality, with significant reductions in gastrointestinal tract and certain other cancers. However, the study's findings are smaller than previous analyses, highlighting the need for further research to determine potential benefits.
Off-label drug use is a widespread practice in medicine, with roughly 1 in 5 prescriptions filled for an off-label use. Patients may not be aware when their prescribed medications are being used off-label, as there is no requirement for physicians to disclose this information through informed consent.
Scientists have developed a method to identify new uses for existing medicines, using 11 factors to pair likely drugs with diseases. The 'Train-Match-Fit-Streamline' approach could lead to repurposing of medicines like Celebrex and hookworm treatment for cancer.
A new study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology suggests that aspirin use may protect against Barrett's esophagus (BE), the largest known risk factor for esophageal cancer. High-dose aspirin was significantly associated with decreased BE risk, but caution is advised due to potential cardiovascular benefits.
Medical Developments International (MDI) has signed a technology deal with CSIRO to develop a new production process for the pain-relieving drug Penthrox, known as the green whistle. The partnership aims to reduce production costs and enable large-scale production for global sales in the UK and Europe.
Researchers at the University of Granada have found that ibuprofen has beneficial effects on bone repair following a fracture or surgery. The study shows that a therapeutic dose of ibuprofen does not inhibit osteoblast cell proliferation and synthesis, which is crucial for bone development and growth.
A clinical study published by The Endocrine Society reveals that over half of type 2 diabetes patients are aspirin resistant, increasing the risk of blood clots causing heart attacks and strokes.
A new Stanford University School of Medicine study has found that genetics significantly impact the severity of opiate side effects, such as nausea and respiratory depression. The research also suggests that genetic variations can influence an individual's risk of addiction to these powerful painkillers.
Researchers have developed a simple blood test that can identify patients who will not respond to the painkiller tramadol. The test measures the ratio of tramadol's metabolite O-demethyltramadol (ODT) to tramadol itself, allowing doctors to switch non-responding patients to alternative painkillers like morphine.
Researchers found that pre-operative aspirin therapy can halve the risk of post-operative acute kidney failure. The study involved 3,219 patients and showed a significant decrease in incidence of acute renal failure with aspirin use.
A study of nearly 200,000 individuals found daily low-dose aspirin use associated with increased risk of major gastrointestinal or cerebral bleeding. Patients with diabetes had high rates of major bleeding, irrespective of aspirin use.
Children are at risk of liver failure and death from acetaminophen overdoses, which can be prevented with improved labelling, dosing devices, and pharmacist counseling. N-acetylcysteine is the standard treatment for liver toxicity related to an overdose.
Researchers found tart cherry juice significantly reduces inflammation in women with osteoarthritis, particularly those with high inflammation levels. Drinking twice daily for three weeks led to notable reductions in inflammatory markers.
The increasing misuse of prescription opioids has led to a four-fold rise in individual use since the mid-1990s, resulting in nearly three-quarters of fatal drug overdoses being due to prescription drugs. Experts recommend expanded prescription drug monitoring programs to identify potential abusers and protect pain patients.
A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that nearly a quarter of adults at risk of overdosing on single OTC acetaminophen products by exceeding the dose of four grams in a 24-hour period. Additionally, nearly half were at risk of overdosing by 'double-dipping' with two acetaminophen-containing products.
A new study suggests that long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin can decrease the risk of squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. The findings indicate a potential cancer-protective effect of NSAID use, which should be considered when discussing benefits and harms.
Researchers have identified an unexpected source of diabetic neuropathy pain in laboratory rats with diabetes: changes in the structure of dendritic spines. This finding suggests a potential therapeutic strategy by targeting abnormal spines to alleviate pain.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have found that persistent pain and hyperalgesia are generated by the same nerves but through different mechanisms. The discovery could lead to more effective painkillers with fewer side effects.
A study by Keith Hawton and colleagues found a significant reduction in co-proxamol-related poisonings after its UK withdrawal in 2005. Deaths involving other analgesics remained stable despite increased prescribing, suggesting the removal of co-proxamol had major benefits on suicide rates.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that the peak risk for misusing prescription pain relievers occurs in mid-adolescence, specifically around 16 years old. The results suggest that prevention programs may need to be introduced earlier, in childhood and early adolescence.
A landmark clinical trial found that aspirin and warfarin are equally effective in preventing a combined risk of death, stroke, and cerebral hemorrhage in heart failure patients. The WARCEF trial, which involved over 2,300 patients, showed that the overall risks and benefits of the two medications are similar.
Researchers created a virtual copy of patient-specific blood to simulate blood clotting and test the effectiveness of drugs like aspirin. The simulations predicted accurate responses to drugs in individual donors, identifying potential genetic mutations.
A new drug, BL-7050, is being developed to manage resistant chronic pain caused by nerve or tissue damage. The medication targets potassium channels to prevent hyper-excitability and induce calm in neurons, offering relief to millions of sufferers.
A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found racial differences in the care of children in emergency departments. Black children are less likely to receive pain medication for severe abdominal pain compared to white patients. This disparity has significant implications for equal access to high-quality healthcare.
Researchers found that salicylate increases AMPK activity, leading to reduced liver fat and improved fat burning in obese mice. The study suggests a potential link between aspirin and preventing type 2 diabetes.
A Johns Hopkins-led study found that etanercept, a genetically engineered small-protein drug, does not provide better relief for sciatica back pain compared to steroid injections. In the study, patients who received epidural steroid injections reported more significant pain relief and improved overall symptoms after one month.
A new study found that decreasing adherence to gastroprotective agent (GPA) prescriptions among users of COX-2 inhibitors is linked to an increased risk of upper GI complications. Low GPA adherers had a higher risk of gastrointestinal complications compared to full adherers.
A new report by American Cancer Society scientists reveals that daily low-dose aspirin use may lower overall cancer incidence and mortality. The study found a significant reduction in cancer death, even at doses as low as 75 mg daily.
Researchers have identified three active variants of a conotoxin that blocks the transmission of pain signals in nerves. These venomous peptides, derived from cone snails, show great promise for developing new painkillers with minimal dependency and faster degradation rates.
A study by researchers at the University of Montreal identified cellular and molecular mechanisms that enable opioid pain drug tolerance. They found that receptor recycling plays a key role in tolerance development, suggesting potential strategies for designing longer-acting analgesics.
Researchers at CU Boulder have discovered a protein complex involving toll-like receptor 4 and myeloid differentiation protein receptor 2 that triggers unwanted neuroinflammation in response to morphine. This finding has implications for developing new drugs to increase morphine effectiveness while preventing abuse.
Researchers have discovered how opioid drugs like morphine create an inflammatory response in the brain by activating an immune receptor. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutic drugs that improve morphine's effectiveness while reducing its problematic side effects.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center explored strategies to protect young children's brains from anesthesia damage. Three tested treatments - NAP, vitamin D3, and low-level ketamine - showed promise in preventing brain injury.
A new study published in International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology found that ketorolac is a safe and effective pain medication for patients after sinus surgery, without the side effects of narcotics. The study compared ketorolac to fentanyl and found no significant differences in nasal bleeding or pain relief.
A new study suggests that antidepressants, specifically duloxetine, can be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis pain. The analysis of FDA-approved studies found that duloxetine provides significant advantages over traditional treatments, including fewer side effects.
The discovery of the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) structure could lead to the development of new medications targeting addiction, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and other conditions. Salvinorin A, a hallucinogenic compound from the Salvia plant, interacts with only one receptor type in the human brain.
Researchers found that dexmedetomidine reduced the duration of mechanical ventilation compared to midazolam, improved patients' ability to communicate pain, and offered benefits in terms of reduced mechanical ventilation and ICU stay. The study suggests that dexmedetomidine may provide clinically relevant benefits for long-term sedation.
Researchers found daily aspirin reduces risk of cancer death by 15% and cancer incidence by a quarter from 3 years onwards. Aspirin also shows promise in treating metastasis, with a 36% reduction in risk of distant cancer spread.
A new study led by Stanford researchers found that ibuprofen significantly reduced the incidence of altitude sickness in a double-blind trial. Ibuprofen reduced symptoms by 26% and was found to be more attractive than other medications, such as acetazolamide, due to its safety profile.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that prescribing opioids for pain after short-stay surgery is associated with long-term analgesic use. Researchers analyzed population-based data and found that patients who received opioid prescriptions within seven days of surgery were more likely to become long-term opioid users.
Scientists have developed a new aspirin compound called NOSH-aspirin that curbs the growth of 11 different types of human cancer cells in culture and shrinks human colon cancer tumors by 85% in live animals without adverse effects. The hybrid is more potent and safer than classic aspirin, requiring lower doses to be effective.
A study of 87,025 postmenopausal women found that those consuming the most trans fats were 39% more likely to have an ischemic stroke. However, regular aspirin use may counteract this risk, with no association found between trans fat consumption and stroke risk among aspirin users.
A large study found that postmenopausal women with higher trans fat intake have an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Aspirin use was shown to reduce this risk. The study, published in Annals of Neurology, highlights the importance of following a diet low in trans fats and adding an aspirin regimen to help women reduce their stroke risk.
Scientists have combined NO- and H2S-releasing designer aspirins into a hybrid substance called NOSH-aspirin, which appears more effective in controlling cancer growth than either of its predecessors. The new compound inhibits the growth of various cancer cells, including breast, colon, and leukemia, with minimal harm to normal cells.
Researchers aim to create potent pain relievers with reduced side effects by studying four new compounds that avoid recruiting the protein beta arrestin 2. Genetic studies have shown animal models lacking beta-arrestins experience robust pain relief with diminished side effects.
Research reveals that individuals with substance use disorders achieve higher abstinence rates when accessing drug-free recovery housing and day-treatment programs following detox. Participants who received housing showed a 37% abstinence rate, while those receiving housing plus treatment had a 50% abstinence rate.
Researchers created a new method using calculus equations to estimate acetaminophen overdose patient prognosis, predicting those who can survive with antidote treatment versus those needing a liver transplant. The study analyzed 53 patients and showed the method's accuracy in determining survival outcomes.
Recent studies have found that physical and social pain are processed in the same brain regions, with shared emotional components. This overlap is validated by research, suggesting that people who experience social rejection may be more empathetic towards those with physical pain.
The American Heart Association has launched an online-only open-access journal, packed with free peer-reviewed research on heart disease and stroke. The new journal aims to accelerate the translation of science into practice through rapid and widespread accessibility.
A study found that painACTION.com increased participants' confidence in preventing headaches and managing pain, leading to more daily activities and reduced depression, anxiety, and stress. The online intervention was effective as an adjunct to comprehensive medical care for chronic migraine management.
Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine identified a new group of compounds that block signals from EP2, a receptor involved in inflammation. The compounds could potentially treat neurological diseases such as epilepsy and stroke.
According to investigators at Washington University School of Medicine, antibiotics do not reduce symptoms in sinus infection patients, with most people getting better on their own. The study suggests treating symptoms and watchful waiting may be more effective than antibiotic treatment.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered that erasing neuronal memories of pain can reduce both persistent pain and heightened sensitivity to touch. By blocking the activity of a protein kinase, they were able to reverse hypersensitivity to pain in neurons.
A study of 1,500 patients found that aspirin reduced the incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) by 19.2%, with no complications from aspirin use. Aspirin, combined with stockings and a foot pump, is a safe and effective therapy for preventing DVT and PE in most joint replacement patients.
A large Scandinavian study has found that combined oral contraceptive pills reduce painful menstrual periods by 0.3 units on the VMS scale, with a reduction of nine millimeters on the VAS scale. Increasing age also alleviated symptoms, but not as much as COC use, which had a greater effect.
A new study by the American Heart Association found that combining clopidogrel with aspirin for stroke prevention in patients with subcortical strokes may increase the risk of bleeding and death. The trial involved over 3,000 patients and showed that there was no difference in stroke recurrence between treatment arms.
A new study found that when combining a placebo with a distracting memory task, participants experienced increased pain reduction without cognitive interference. This challenges the theory that the placebo effect relies on high-level cognitive functions like working memory and attention.