Research on pain-relieving drugs. Covers new pain-management startups, omega-3 approaches, drug safety, and AI-driven drug discovery.
The University of Rochester Medical Center has been awarded a $1 million contract to launch an initiative that aims to accelerate the identification of improved pain treatments. The partnership, known as Analgesic Clinical Trial Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks (ACTION), will analyze clinical trials to identify problems in tria...
A new Stanford University School of Medicine study reveals that intense, passionate feelings of love can significantly alter mood and impact pain perception. The research found that love-induced analgesia involves primitive aspects of the brain, activating deep structures to block pain at a spinal level.
A nationwide clinical trial is underway to test the effectiveness of ranolazine in treating ventricular arrhythmias. The study aims to determine if ranolazine decreases death and cardiac arrhythmias, as well as hospitalizations from cardiac causes.
Experts advocate for phasing out codeine due to its significant risks and unpredictable pharmacokinetics. Morphine, its active metabolite, is proposed as an alternative, offering more predictable metabolism and cost savings.
A phase II clinical trial found tanezumab to be effective in reducing osteoarthritis knee pain, with a 62% reduction in walking knee pain compared to placebo. The drug also showed promise in improving physical function and relieving stiffness.
A new drug, tanezumab, significantly reduces knee pain in osteoarthritis, but a small number of participants developed worsening arthritis and bone changes requiring joint replacements. The FDA is examining data to decide on the drug's future use.
Researchers found that high-dose intravenous aspirin significantly reduced pain in patients with severe withdrawal headaches caused by medication overuse. The study showed that 25% of participants experienced a significant reduction in pain, while 40% reported a modest pain reduction.
A new trial aims to determine if taking daily doses of a fish oil extract and aspirin can shrink existing polyps and prevent new ones from forming in the bowel. If successful, this treatment could reduce the need for frequent colonoscopies in patients at risk of developing bowel cancer.
Researchers have discovered a novel compound that amplifies the effects of anandamide, a natural chemical in the body similar to THC found in marijuana. The synthetic drug URB937 inhibits FAAH enzyme, enhancing anandamide levels and producing analgesic effects without sedation or addiction.
A new study found that intravenous aspirin was associated with a 25% reduction in pain scores and moderate effectiveness in treating severe headaches. The treatment had six percent side effects, mostly nausea and vomiting.
The study aims to find a difference in how a susceptible person responds to hydrocodone compared to a nonsusceptible one. The researchers hope to discover an indicator of susceptibility to dependence on painkillers like hydrocodone.
Research published online in journal Gut found that taking even a very low dose of regular aspirin (75 mg) can reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer. After one year, daily low-dose aspirin was associated with a 22% reduced risk of developing bowel cancer, which increased to 30% after five years.
A team of UC Davis scientists discovered a novel mechanism behind Vioxx's link to heart attacks and strokes, finding that the drug increases a regulatory lipid that contributes to cardiovascular events. The research may pave the way for safer coxibs for millions of arthritis patients.
A new study published in The Lancet Neurology suggests that cilostazol is at least as effective as aspirin in preventing secondary strokes, but with significantly less major bleeding. The trial involved 2757 patients and found a 26% reduced risk of stroke compared to aspirin.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new type of pump for drug-delivery patches that uses arrays of microneedles to deliver a wider range of medications. The pump is activated by touch and can exert pressure to force drugs through the needles, with prototypes exerting pressures of up to 4.87 psi.
A double-dose regimen of clopidogrel was found to be more effective than the standard dose in reducing ischemic events and stent thrombosis in patients undergoing PCI for acute coronary syndromes. However, major bleeding increased by 41% with double-dosing.
Researchers have found that boosting brain levels of 2-AG, a natural painkiller, soon leads to loss of its therapeutic effect due to receptor downregulation. This discovery has implications for drug development and basic science, suggesting that more modest elevations in 2-AG may produce sustained pain relief.
A study of opioid detoxification patients found that 31 out of 75 patients first got hooked on prescribed painkillers. The majority continued using street drugs due to lower costs and greater effectiveness, with comments revealing the role of 'pill parties' in their initial use.
A recent study by the University of Michigan Health System found that black patients are prescribed fewer pain medications than whites, while women receive weaker doses. The research highlights racial and gender gaps in pain care and suggests changes are needed to address these disparities starting in primary care.
Researchers discover small RNAs regulate genes involved in chronic pain, offering a new avenue for developing drugs to treat debilitating conditions like arthritis and back pain. Small RNAs may serve as possible drug targets to restore normal pain thresholds.
Monthly acetaminophen use in adolescents may more than double the risk of asthma, with yearly use associated with a 50% increase. The study found a significant association between acetaminophen use and increased risks of asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
A University of Florida researcher found that acetaminophen alleviates social pain from hurt feelings, suggesting an interrelation between physical and emotional pain. Participants who took acetaminophen daily for three weeks reported fewer emotional sufferings and less brain activity linked to social rejection.
Research suggests that women experience chronic pain longer, more intensely, and more often than men due to hormonal and social factors. Treating both physical and mental symptoms is crucial for effective management of chronic pain in women.
Researchers have discovered a novel approach to ease chronic and acute pain caused by sickle cell disease, using cannibinoids that equally lessen pain in animals as opioids, but with much smaller doses. The treatment has great promise for patients with this genetic blood disorder.
Experts call for decriminalization of drug users, alongside a massive scale-up of opioid substitution, needle and syringe programs, and antiretroviral treatment. Current treatment programmes only reach around 10% of people who use drugs worldwide, highlighting the need for reform in justice systems and policy decision making.
The ASPREE study aims to assess whether aspirin can prolong a life free of physical disability and dementia in healthy older people. The trial will enroll 6,500 participants in the US and Australia and monitor changes in health markers, functional ability, and cognitive function over five years.
A pre-emptive multimodal pain regimen reduced opioid analgesic use in robotic prostatectomy patients. The study found a mean opioid dose of 49.1 mg for those receiving the regimen, compared to 75.3 mg for standard care.
Researchers have discovered a new group of drugs that could provide effective cancer pain relief with minimal side effects. The drugs, developed in collaboration between the Universities of Leicester and Ferrara, act on two targets simultaneously to reduce tolerance.
A recent study found that patients taking celecoxib (a COX-2 selective NSAID) had lower rates of gastrointestinal adverse events compared to those taking diclofenac slow release plus omeprazole. The CONDOR study suggests that celecoxib may be a safer option for arthritis patients at increased gastrointestinal risk.
A systematic review shows that topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are more effective than placebos for treating short-term pain, reducing pain by 50% or more in over six out of ten cases. The researchers found that topical diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and piroxicam provided the best results with few side effects.
A European survey found that up to 45% of cancer patients with breakthrough pain do not adhere to medication despite severe episodes. Patients want medications that relieve pain quickly and cause few side effects, yet current treatments often fail to meet these needs.
Experts now advise against low-dose aspirin therapy for men under 50 and women under 60 with diabetes, citing risks of stomach bleeding and other side effects. Generic medications for high blood pressure and cholesterol control may be more effective in preventing heart attacks.
Research reveals that group visits can significantly improve blood pressure in diabetics with hypertension but not blood sugar levels. Colorectal cancer risk increases with age and birth cohort, suggesting a potential burden to society. Opioid treatment agreements may not reduce misuse, and a new complication from contaminated cocaine ...
The review article provides a comprehensive guide to pain management in cirrhotic patients, recommending reduced dosing of acetaminophen and avoiding NSAIDs due to risk of acute renal failure. The authors emphasize the need for diligent follow-up for toxicity and adverse effects.
A study by Boston University School of Medicine identified factors associated with prescription drug use disorder (PDUD) in primary care patients with chronic pain. Key findings include a history of jail time, disabling pain, cigarette smoking, and family history of substance abuse as predictors of PDUD.
Rush University Medical Center is conducting an international clinical trial to test celecoxib's effectiveness in preventing precancerous polyps in children with familial adenomatous polyposis. The five-year study aims to assess whether the drug can reduce or prevent polyp formation, offering hope for these patients.
Researchers have developed a Mouse Grimace Scale to measure spontaneous responses in mice resembling human pain expressions. The scale accelerates the development of new analgesics for humans while eliminating unnecessary suffering in lab animals.
Researchers at Duke Clinical Research Institute found that telaprevir significantly improves response rates in patients with difficult-to-treat hepatitis C cases. The study also suggests a potential link between aspirin use and the development of inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease.
A new study by the University of East Anglia found that regular aspirin use increases the risk of developing Crohn's disease by five times. The research, which followed 200,000 volunteers, suggests that aspirin may be a contributing factor to the development of this debilitating condition.
Researchers found biochemical mediators of inflammation produced by activated macrophages, which stimulate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses. These findings could lead to the development of new treatments for inflammatory diseases linked to omega-3 fatty acids and aspirin.
Nearly 85% of teens in a study would have overdosed on acetaminophen if given the option, despite 60% having never heard of it. Limited health literacy increases this risk even further.
Dr. Joel Hirsch's research provides new information on how calcium channels work and offers a framework for designing drugs that can modulate them to provide relief from chronic pain. The discovery has the potential to lead to new treatments for conditions such as backaches, sore limbs, and arthritis.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center have discovered a family of endogenous capsaicin-like molecules that play an important role in pain biology. They have developed two new classes of analgesics using drugs that either block the synthesis or inactivate these substances.
Telcagepant, a CGRP receptor blocker, provides similar pain relief as triptans but with fewer cardiovascular risks. Topiramate may also prevent migraine attacks in chronic sufferers.
A single dose of aspirin (900-1000mg) significantly reduces migraine headache pain in over half of people, with added metoclopramide improving nausea and vomiting symptoms. Aspirin plus metoclopramide is a reasonable option for acute migraine attacks, but may not be effective enough for some.
Researchers found that nicotine withdrawal syndrome is more common in agitated smokers than non-smokers, increasing risks of accidental tube removals. The study highlights the need for improved strategies to prevent agitation or treat it earlier in critically ill patients.
Researchers found dilated intercellular spaces in esophageal epithelium as a nonspecific ultrastructural feature of non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). This discovery suggests DIS is an early and sensitive marker for NERD diagnosis, providing new insights into its mechanism.
The new center will provide timely data on prescriptions to doctors, pharmacies, and regulatory agencies, helping identify best practices in prescription monitoring. The initiative aims to reduce the serious epidemic of drug abuse, taking thousands of lives.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered how two proteins manipulate nerve cells to send pain signals, offering a new target for painkillers. This breakthrough could lead to more effective and safer pain treatments by targeting peripheral nervous system.
Researchers have discovered a new drug that targets the root cause of painful menstrual cramps, called dysmenorrhea. The compound, VA111913, has shown promise in Phase II clinical trials and could be available to patients in four years if studies continue to show positive results.
A new ultra-rapid acting mealtime insulin is orally inhaled for absorption via the lung, mimicking the natural early insulin response. This innovative technology uses a delivery system that applies to other drugs currently injected, with potential benefits including reduced hypoglycemia and weight gain.
A study of nearly 1,500 patients over seven years found that vertebroplasty significantly improves back pain within hours and provides long-term pain relief. Collaboration between interventional radiologists and medical experts is crucial for the best results.
Researchers have discovered the unique genes responsible for codeine and morphine production in the opium poppy, opening doors to alternative methods of producing these painkillers. The findings could lead to more efficient and cost-effective synthesis of pharmaceuticals using microorganisms.
A novel protein named haditoxin has been identified in King Cobra venom, showing promise for new drug discovery and advancing our understanding of disease mechanisms. The protein's unique structure suggests it may offer insights into treating various neurological disorders.
A study published in the Journal of Patient Safety found that non-traditional therapies can significantly impact pain levels in hospitalized patients, with reductions of up to 50%. The treatments included mind-body therapies, acupuncture, and massage, among others, which were found to be effective across various patient populations.
A study found that individuals with a low ankle-brachial index (ABI) did not significantly reduce their risk of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events with aspirin use. Alternative therapies, such as statins or more potent antiplatelet agents, may be considered for these high-risk patients.
A European study finds inadequate access to opioid-based pain relief for cancer patients, with some countries restricting essential medicines. The authors conclude that restrictive regulations hinder medical care and recommend revising laws to improve accessibility.
A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that the risk of major bleeding after image-guided percutaneous biopsies is low, even among patients taking aspirin. The study reviewed 15,181 biopsies performed over six years and found only 70 hemorrhages (0.5%) within three months of biopsy.
A new study found that women with low sexual desire experience personal and emotional distress, including negative emotions like dissatisfaction and guilt. The study identified 5,098 women with low sexual desire, who reported significant correlations between their level of desire and associated distress.
A study of 136,474 participants found that regular ibuprofen users were 40% less likely to develop Parkinson's disease. Higher doses of ibuprofen also showed a reduced risk of developing the disease.