Articles tagged with Analgesics
Methylnaltrexone reverses opioid-induced constipation in over 90% of patients, providing relief from debilitating symptoms. The drug is designed to block morphine's effects on gut motility without interfering with pain relief.
A groundbreaking mouse study has identified the molecular mechanism behind morphine tolerance, offering new hope for more effective pain management. The research found that genetically engineered mice lacking a key protein exhibited prolonged analgesia and reduced tolerance to morphine.
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center discovered a biological mechanism in mice that prolongs morphine's painkilling effects by eliminating a protein switch called beta-arrestin 2. This finding may lead to the development of new drugs that enhance morphine's action and reduce side effects.
A six-year randomized study of 5,059 U.S. veterans found that taking one aspirin a day after a heart attack is as effective as combining it with an anti-clotting drug in reducing post-heart attack risk. The study recommends solo aspirin use due to its cost-effectiveness and lack of need for monitoring.
Millions of patients mix prescription medicines with alternative therapies without informing their doctors, raising concerns about herb-drug interactions. Studies have shown that herbs like St. John's wort and ginkgo can be effective in treating depression, anxiety, and memory problems, but may also cause side effects.
A new clinical trial confirms zaleplon's safety and tolerability for the long-term treatment of insomnia, lasting up to 12 months. The medication showed no withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation, making it a good option for chronic insomnia sufferers.
UCSF researchers discovered that pain elicits analgesia via the brain's reward pathway, releasing opioids and dopamine. This finding provides a new understanding of pain relief and its connection to addiction.
The Interstitial Cystitis Clinical Trials Group is conducting a clinical trial using pentosan polysulfate sodium (ElmironR) and hydroxyzine hydrochloride (AtaraxR) to treat IC. The trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these oral drugs in relieving symptoms in patients with IC.
A new study by the NIH/NINDS found that lower doses of aspirin (81-325mg) taken before and after carotid endarterectomy surgery are more effective in preventing strokes than higher doses. The results suggest that lower doses may be better tolerated and easier to take, making them a promising option for stroke prevention.
A study of over 1,000 older, disabled women reveals that nearly two-thirds report significant pain in multiple areas, yet many use inadequate or ineffective doses of medication. This mismatch suggests a need for better pain management strategies among older adults.
Research found that relaxation and music reduce pain more than pain medication alone, providing complete relief without side effects. These self-care methods can hasten recovery and improve hospital stays for millions of Americans who undergo surgery annually.
The Emory-led WASID study aims to compare the effectiveness of warfarin and aspirin in preventing stroke and vascular death in patients with intracranial stenosis. The five-year trial will evaluate 806 high-risk patients at 50 sites across North America.
Research suggests tart cherries' anthocyanins can prevent oxidative damage and inhibit inflammatory enzymes, rivaling commercial antioxidants like vitamin E. Daily consumption of 20 tart cherries may provide anti-inflammatory benefits for pain relief from arthritis and gout.
A recent study found gabapentin to be at least as effective as tricyclic antidepressants in treating postherpetic neuralgia, with better-tolerated side effects. The eight-week clinical trial involved 229 patients and reported a significant drop in pain levels for those treated with gabapentin.
Researchers are testing a new painkiller to see if it can delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease. The study, involving 1,300 patients, targets the cycloxygenase-2 enzyme, which is believed to contribute to the development of the disease.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered how aspirin reduces inflammation by targeting a specific kinase. Aspirin inhibition prevents NF-kB activation and suppresses inflammation, making it an excellent target for developing novel anti-inflammatory agents.
Scientists found that aspirin suppresses accumulation of genetic mutations causing hereditary colorectal cancer. Aspirin screens for cells with stable genetics, potentially preventing the disease. Researchers now plan a clinical trial to study higher doses of aspirin in preventing hereditary colon cancer.
A University of Michigan study found that busy individuals are more prone to medication errors, whereas older adults tend to exhibit better adherence rates. The researchers developed the 'Busy Life Style Questionnaire' to measure daily chaos and identified being too busy as the primary risk factor for mistakes.
A study published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry found that aspirin can short-circuit the
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed microneedle arrays that can deliver small quantities of high-potency medications through the skin without causing pain. The arrays, produced with microelectronics industry techniques, penetrate only the outermost layer of skin with no nerve endings.
Case reports reveal four patients died or went into shock after switching from mibefradil to other calcium channel blockers, highlighting the dangerous interaction between the two drugs. The risk is attributed to mibefradil's long half-life and its ability to inhibit liver enzymes that metabolize other medications.
A new study found that daily pain among elderly nursing home residents with cancer is widespread and often untreated, especially among older and minority patients. The study highlights inadequate medical treatment and a need for improving pain management in these individuals.
Researchers found that aspirin targets patients with the altered gene PlA2 polymorphism, making them 10 times more sensitive to its effect. This discovery could help determine which people benefit most from daily aspirin doses and when other non-aspirin drugs are needed.
A new study found that low-risk atrial fibrillation patients who take aspirin have a lower risk of stroke compared to those on warfarin, with fewer bleeding complications. The study identified hundreds of thousands of Americans eligible for aspirin therapy and provides new insights into stroke prevention.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that delivering pain medication to patients before surgery reduces post-operative pain long after. The study, which involved 90 men undergoing radical prostatectomies, showed significant pain reduction in patients who received preemptive analgesia.
Researchers found no benefit from low-dose aspirin therapy in preventing preeclampsia in women at high risk, contradicting previous studies. High blood pressure and protein in urine can lead to eclampsia, which may be fatal.
A recent study at Penn State's Hershey Medical Center found that hospitalized cardiac patients experience significant fluctuations in adjusting to their medications. Researchers discovered that more than 50% of patients went home with at least 10 different medications, creating challenges for managing drug reactions and side effects.
Researchers monitored 60 migraine patients using transcranial Doppler ultrasound before and after six months of treatment. The study found that two-thirds of patients reported clinical improvement, with changes in blood vessel velocity supporting the findings.
Researchers at White River Junction Veterans Administration Medical Center and Dartmouth Medical School have found that more than one protein plays a major role in making acetaminophen toxic to the liver of rats administered alcohol. The study identified CYP3A as another culprit that may cause even more liver damage in individuals who ...
The implant is a button-sized polymer that releases hydromorphone over one to three months, providing steady pain medication. It could be used in developing nations where cancer rates are high but limited treatment options exist, and potentially as an alternative to oral methadone treatment for heroin addicts.
Methylnaltrexone, a medication that blocks morphine side effects without affecting pain relief, has been granted orphan-drug status. This designation will help bring the drug to patients with cancer pain who struggle with nausea and constipation due to long-term opioid use.