Articles tagged with Analgesics
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.
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.
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 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.
The FDA has added 'black box' warnings to all prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers, despite evidence showing naproxen is safe. This decision ignores the risk differences between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, with Voltaren carrying the highest risk of heart attack.
A study of pharmaceutical sales visits found that almost half led to doctors intending to increase gabapentin prescriptions. Nearly 40% of visits discussed off-label uses not approved by the FDA.
A new study published in PLoS Medicine raises questions about the humanity of lethal injection protocols. The authors found that prisoners may be conscious and experience pain during execution, potentially leading to death by asphyxiation. This challenges the conventional view of lethal injection as a peaceful and painless death.
A recent study found that morphine's effectiveness in pain relief does not correlate with patient survival time. In fact, patients with no opioid experience are at risk of respiratory depression, while those with moderate-to-severe chronic pain are not. This challenges the common misconception that morphine is deadly.
The Prescription Opiate Addiction Treatment Study aims to assess the effectiveness of buprenorphine/naloxone combination tablets and different models of drug counseling in patients addicted to prescription opioids. The study will enroll 648 participants and test various treatment approaches to treat addiction to opioid painkillers.
A daily dose of adult-strength aspirin was associated with a moderate decreased cancer risk, particularly for colorectal, prostate, and breast cancers. However, the effect on other types of cancer was not significant.
Two studies suggest that reducing inflammation with aspirin or inhaler medications may help control cancer. One study found regular aspirin users had a 16% reduced risk of developing cancer, while another discovered a link between asthma and increased lung metastasis risk.
A new study found that ibuprofen significantly raises the risk of heart attacks in high-risk cardiovascular patients taking aspirin for osteoarthritis. The Mount Sinai researchers' findings underscore the importance of considering NSAID interactions with aspirin in these patients.
Research found ibuprofen may boost the likelihood of heart problems in high-risk patients with osteoarthritis. High-dose ibuprofen was linked to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes compared to other treatments, including lumiracoxib and naproxen.
Fatal poisonings involving paracetamol fell after the UK introduced regulations restricting tablet sizes. However, new research suggests this decrease might not be directly attributed to the law change, as overall poisoning deaths also dropped during the same period.
A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism found that arthritis pain is processed in brain areas associated with emotions and fear. The medial pain system, including the cingulate cortex and amygdala, was activated during arthritic pain, suggesting a stronger emotional impact than experimental pain.
The MERLIN TIMI-36 study found that ranolazine reduced recurrent ischemia but not cardiovascular death or heart attack in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes. The study provided new safety data on the drug's long-term use in high-risk patients.
A new study by Jefferson researchers found that taking Plavix with aspirin after off-pump heart bypass surgery does not increase bleeding risk. Patients who took clopidogrel and aspirin experienced less gastrointestinal bleeding and fewer strokes compared to those on aspirin alone.
Long-term aspirin use in women with low to moderate doses has been associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality and cancer deaths. The study found that women who used aspirin had a lower risk of death from any cause, particularly heart disease, compared to those who did not use aspirin.
A new study attributes long-term survival rates after cardiac surgery to the rising use of cardiac drugs, including low-dose aspirin. Researchers found that lower doses of therapies may be just as beneficial while lowering side effects.
Researchers investigate lifestyle choices and their impact on heart risks, exploring the effects of dark chocolate and nicotine patches on cardiovascular health. Studies find that flavonoids in dark chocolate can improve endothelial function in adults with BMI between 25-35 kg/m2.
New research published in Palliative Medicine challenges the misconception that morphine is a lethal drug. The study found no significant changes in vital statistics when patients with severe cancer pain were treated with morphine. Morphine's wide safety margin and effectiveness in managing pain have been confirmed.
Researchers found that overexpression of RAMP1 protein increases sensitivity and responsiveness to CGRP, a neuropeptide thought to cause migraines. The study suggests people who get migraines may have higher levels of RAMP1 than those who don't.
Researchers designed a pulsed microjet system to deliver protein drugs into the skin, eliminating pain and bruising. The system uses high-velocity jets with small diameters to deliver precise doses, enabling local and systemic applications.
A recent study found that few women in underserved populations receive treatment for musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy. Researchers suggest expanding musculoskeletal care to address the issue, particularly among those with a history of pain in previous pregnancies.
Anxiety disorders are common in primary care settings, affecting nearly 20% of patients, with many untreated. Internists perform fewer procedures than in 1986, with a significant decrease in varied procedures. Annals of Internal Medicine launches a reproducible research initiative to improve data sharing.
Two large studies found a significant association between common pain-relieving medications and an increased risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) in men. Men who regularly took acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin were more likely to develop high blood pressure over four years.
A new clinical trial aims to investigate whether low-dose aspirin can improve pregnancy outcomes for women who have miscarried. The study will enroll 535 women and follow them for five years to assess the impact of aspirin on implantation, blood flow, and preeclampsia.
Researchers at Brown University have identified a critical pain pathway that explains why opioids are effective in blocking pain signals. By understanding how these channels work, drug companies can develop more effective painkillers.