Research on pain-relieving drugs. Covers new pain-management startups, omega-3 approaches, drug safety, and AI-driven drug discovery.
A study found that regular aspirin use lowers the risk of colorectal cancer in men, particularly at higher cumulative doses. However, the benefits of long-term aspirin use appear to diminish after four to five years and are not evident after discontinuing use.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have identified two subtypes of GABA receptors that mediate spinal pain control, opening up new possibilities for targeted pain therapy. This discovery could lead to the development of specific drugs with fewer side effects, making chronic pain treatment more effective.
A University of British Columbia study found that popular osteoporosis drugs like Actonel, Didrocal, and Fosamax nearly triple the risk of developing bone necrosis. Researchers also discovered that this condition primarily affects shoulders, knees, and hips.
Physicians must not participate in executions as it contradicts the core concept of ethics in medicine. Lethal injections used in executions raise concerns about pain and human suffering, with experts calling for improved procedures to ensure humane treatment. The Mayo Clinic Proceedings provides a forum for debate on this critical issue.
A new study found that black and Hispanic patients are less likely to receive strong pain drugs in emergency rooms, despite increased opioid use. Non-opioid pain relievers were prescribed more often to non-whites than whites.
A 20-minute evening back massage was found to decrease pain intensity and unpleasantness, as well as anxiety, in patients undergoing major surgery. The study suggests that massage may act through multiple mechanisms, including relieving anxiety and generating mood-boosting endorphins.
A new study published in JAMA found that the sedative drug dexmedetomidine improves intensive care sleep quality and reduces instances of coma and delirium compared to lorazepam. The study showed that dexmedetomidine resulted in 30% fewer patients experiencing coma and an average of four more coma-free days.
A new study found that treatment with ibuprofen is associated with a significantly slower rate of decline in lung function in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. The study showed a 29 percent reduction in loss of lung function compared to those who did not use the anti-inflammatory drug.
A study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has identified the atrogin-1 gene as a key player in statin-related muscle toxicity. The researchers found that statins activate this gene, leading to muscle damage and atrophy, with potential implications for patients taking these cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Physicians spend approximately 8 hours a week providing unreimbursed care outside of office visits, which can include talking with families or ordering medicines. Lumbar supports have been shown to reduce low back pain in healthcare workers with existing back pain, but not work absences.
Regular use of non-aspirin NSAIDs reduced Parkinson's disease risk by up to 60% compared to non-users. Women who regularly used aspirin also showed a 40% reduced risk, especially after two years of use.
A study by UC Irvine researchers has found that boosting the amounts of a marijuana-like brain transmitter called anandamide produces antidepressant effects in test rats. The drug URB597, which blocks anandamide degradation, was administered to chronically stressed rats and showed promising results.
Researchers have identified a unique pattern of gene expression in the blood that can indicate toxic levels of acetaminophen. This finding could lead to the development of a simple procedure for clinicians to estimate liver damage and prevent or treat resulting liver damage.
BioDelivery Sciences International has submitted its New Drug Application for BEMA Fentanyl, a treatment for breakthrough cancer pain, to the FDA. The application is based on positive results from clinical trials, including a Phase III efficacy trial that demonstrated significant pain reduction and low discontinuation rates.
A study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that smoked cannabis eased pain induced in healthy volunteers. The results suggest a therapeutic window for cannabis analgesia, with moderate pain relief observed at a medium dose of 4% THC.
A recent study found that trials with predominantly male participants showed significant risk reduction in non-fatal heart attacks when taking aspirin. In contrast, trials with mostly female participants failed to demonstrate a similar benefit. The researchers highlight the importance of considering gender when prescribing aspirin for ...
Acupuncture significantly reduces post-surgical pain and opioid use, with lower rates of nausea, itching, dizziness, and urinary retention. The treatment is also inexpensive and has virtually no side effects when performed by trained personnel.
A Phase 2 study showed ALO-01, an extended-release morphine sulfate plus sequestered naltrexone, provided similar effectiveness and tolerability to KADIAN Capsules for moderate-to-severe chronic osteoarthritis pain. The majority of patients rated both medications as good or excellent.
The opioid system controls pain, reward and addictive behaviors through mu, delta, and kappa receptors. Mice lacking these receptors exhibit altered emotional responses and sensitivity to pain.
Researchers have found that ultra-low-dose aspirin can normalize platelet-endothelial cell alterations and bleeding time in rats with portal hypertension. This effect is mediated by Cyclooxygenase 2 inhibition, a finding that could have implications for treating this debilitating condition.
A University of Missouri-Columbia study shows that complementary methods like acupressure, modifications, and relaxation techniques can complement conventional treatment for chronic pain. By providing patients with more control over their pain management, these approaches can alleviate side effects and improve overall well-being.
Scientists have successfully selectively blocked pain-sensing neurons in rats without interfering with other types of neurons, offering a new targeted approach to pain management. The method uses QX-314 and capsaicin to target only pain-sensing neurons, preventing them from sending signals to the brain.
A combination of capsaicin and QX-314 selectively block pain-sensing neurons in rats, blocking pain without impairing movement or other sensations. The treatment has great potential to improve pain treatment during childbirth, dental procedures, and surgery, offering a promising alternative to current nerve blocks.
The new guideline recommends clinicians rely on evidence-based therapies, limit X-rays, and consider non-pharmacologic options like exercise therapy, chiropractic care, and massage. The guidelines aim to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure and improve patient outcomes for low-back pain treatment.
The American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society released joint guidelines on diagnosing and treating low back pain, emphasizing that clinicians should not routinely order imaging tests. Non-pharmacologic treatments like acupuncture and spinal manipulations can provide relief for those with severe pain.
Research found that fibromyalgia patients have reduced mu-opioid receptor availability in brain regions processing pain signals. This reduces the effectiveness of painkillers such as morphine, leading to increased pain among those with fibromyalgia.
A preliminary laboratory study suggests that consuming large amounts of caffeine with acetaminophen can lead to toxic interactions and liver damage. The researchers recommend limiting caffeine intake while taking acetaminophen, particularly for vulnerable groups such as those taking certain medications or excessive alcohol.
A study found that a third of spam messages advertise health products, including prescription drugs and natural health products. Researchers successfully purchased several controlled substances through these messages.
A study at McGill University Health Centre shows that combining methadone with innovative case management can provide relief for patients with chronic pain. The program, which includes regular phone calls and a pain diary, resulted in 57% of patients being satisfied or very satisfied after nine months.
A RAND Corporation study found that many seniors quit taking crucial medications for chronic illnesses when they reach their annual spending limits. The study suggests that drug caps may have unintended consequences, including increased hospitalizations and adverse health effects.
Researchers will evaluate a new approach to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to target movement-evoked pain after surgery, with the goal of decreasing pain and improving function in older adults. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of active TENS to placebo TENS and standard care.
Between 1998 and 2005, serious adverse drug events doubled, resulting in a significant increase in deaths associated with adverse drug events. The study found that pain medications and immune-modifying drugs contributed disproportionately to fatal events.
A recent study found that chronic pain patients taking opioid therapy are at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. The research, published in Pain Medicine, suggests a direct dose-response relationship between central sleep apnea and methadone and benzodiazepines.
A Queensland University of Technology study found that Australian parents administer medication incorrectly and overly frequently when it comes to managing childhood fever. The study revealed that 4% of parents gave paracetamol too often and 32% administered ibuprofen at incorrect intervals.
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine suggests that COX-2 inhibitors like Vioxx trigger life-threatening side effects by stimulating blood clotting. The researchers propose a solution by administering TF-reducing drugs alongside Cox-2 inhibitors to treat people safely
Associate Professor Jennie Ching-I Tsao of the UCLA Pediatric Pain Program has been selected as a winner of the Mayday Pain & Society Fellowship. The program provides tools and skills to advocate for better treatment of pain, including media communication and policy engagement. Tsao's research focuses on biopsychosocial models of pain ...
Pain researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have made a breakthrough in understanding the complex relationship between opiate drugs and their addictive effects. By isolating the analgesic effects from morphine, scientists can potentially develop more effective treatments for pain while minimizing the risk of addiction.
Researchers concluded that warfarin reduces stroke risk by 52% compared to aspirin in patients over 75 with atrial fibrillation. The study found no significant increase in bleeding risks associated with warfarin use.
A study found that ibuprofen treatment improved cognitive function in rats with chronic liver failure by reducing inflammation and normalizing a key brain pathway. The results suggest a potential therapeutic utility of decreasing inflammation in treating hepatic encephalopathy.
University of Michigan scientists are creating nanoparticles that can deliver morphine to wounded soldiers faster and more safely. The goal is to develop tiny drug-bearing particles that a fellow soldier could inject with a pen-like device, even in combat.
Researchers discovered the GRPR gene, which codes for a receptor involved in transmitting itch signals from the skin to the brain. Laboratory mice lacking this gene scratched less when exposed to itchy stimuli, suggesting a potential target for anti-itch medication.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have uncovered the structure of a key pain molecule, P2X receptors, using microscopic slime moulds. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new painkillers for chronic conditions like migraine and backache.
A recent survey found that 40% of community pharmacists have dispensed off-label medicines to children in the last month, with only 66% feeling responsible to inform parents. The most common off-label dispensing involves giving drugs to children younger than recommended ages or higher doses.
A Canadian study found that paracetamol overdose rates decreased significantly between 1995 and 2004, with a notable drop in hospitalizations among young women and Aboriginal populations. The lack of package size restrictions in Canada contributed to this decline, contrasting with the UK's successful implementation of smaller pack sizes.
A recent study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism found gabapentin to be an effective treatment for fibromyalgia pain, with patients reporting significantly less pain and improved sleep. The medication was well-tolerated, with mild side effects such as dizziness and sedation.
A 42-year-old Canadian patient developed compartment syndrome and underwent emergency fasciotomies, resulting in dark greenish-black blood analysis. Sulfhaemoglobinemia was diagnosed as the cause, linked to excessive sumatriptan intake, a medication containing a sulfonamide group.
A Northwestern University researcher has found that old memory traces in the prefrontal cortex may trigger chronic pain. The discovery led to a new drug, D-Cycloserine, which controls persistent nerve pain by targeting the emotional suffering of pain.
This article discusses various aspects of pain management, including the impact of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on patient satisfaction. The study found that patients with both conditions were more likely to have a chronic medical condition and greater physical and psychosocial stressors.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital reveals that aspirin's colorectal cancer prevention mechanism depends on the inhibition of COX-2 enzyme. Regular aspirin intake only reduced the incidence of colorectal tumors that overexpress COX-2, highlighting a potential target for personalized treatment strategies.
A meta-analysis of over 32,000 women and their babies found that taking aspirin or other antiplatelet drugs during pregnancy reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia by 10%. The treatment also has no significant effect on fetal or baby health outcomes.
A study published in The Lancet found that long-term aspirin use can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 37% overall and 74% after 10-15 years. The benefits are likely to outweigh the risks in individuals at increased risk of colon cancer.
A University of Kentucky study finds that doses higher than a baby aspirin may not prevent cardiovascular events and increase bleeding risk. The research suggests that using the minimum effective dose of 75-81 mg may be optimal for most patients.
The study demonstrated similar release characteristics of the product to those found in previous studies of Alpharma's currently marketed KADIAN Capsules. The company is targeting an NDA filing for its abuse-deterrent product in the first half of 2008.
Researchers at J&JPRD have discovered the biological basis of cold temperature sensation in mice, suggesting TRPM8 modulation could play an important role in certain types of cold-induced pain. This finding may lead to innovative treatments for patients with chronic sensitivity and pain caused by cold.
A new international study found that patients who received modern treatments after a heart attack or severe chest pain had significantly lower death rates, stroke risks, and heart failure. The study shows improved outcomes due to increased use of guideline-based treatments such as drugs, tests, and procedures.
A study found that the use of antithrombotic drugs like aspirin has led to an increase in intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke deaths among older adults. The researchers analyzed data from two studies and found that the proportion of patients taking these medications who experienced strokes increased significantly over time.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that aspirin therapy is four times more likely to be ineffective in women compared to men with the same medical history. The researchers used a device to test platelet reactivity and found that gender was a predictor for aspirin resistance, rather than medical history.
The Phase III efficacy clinical trial showed statistically significant improvement on the primary efficacy endpoint at 30 minutes compared to placebo, indicating a greater reduction in pain. Patients treated with BEMA Fentanyl also demonstrated well-tolerated treatment with no reported drug-related changes to the oral mucosa.
A clinical trial involving over 2,100 participants found that commonly used pain medications such as naproxen and celecoxib did not reduce the incidence of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that these medications should not be taken primarily to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
A team of researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia has found that carboranes can stabilize transthyretin protein and prevent harmful plaque formation without causing negative side effects. This discovery holds promise for developing new, safer treatments for diseases like heart disease and Alzheimer's.