Research on pain-relieving drugs. Covers new pain-management startups, omega-3 approaches, drug safety, and AI-driven drug discovery.
Physicians prescribed opioids more frequently to their white patients with new-onset low back pain, while prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to patients of color. The study's findings suggest racial bias in pain treatment, with white patients being more likely to develop long-term opioid reliance.
A new biomimetic system mimics the body's own receptors for anesthetics, providing prolonged nerve blockade with minimal toxicity. The system consists of nanostructures that bind to tetrodotoxin and slowly release it, allowing for long-lasting pain relief without systemic toxicity.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered a new mode of targeting the adenosine A1 receptor protein, which could lead to the development of non-opioid painkillers to treat chronic neuropathic pain. The study provides an opportunity for researchers to develop safer and more effective drugs.
Scientists challenge existing thinking on opioid tolerance and respiratory depression, proposing a new balanced approach to developing safer analgesics. They found that arrestin-3 engagement limits tolerance development but does not exacerbate respiratory depression.
A UCSF study found that older adults who are lonely are more likely to use prescription opioids and sedatives to ease their symptoms. The researchers advocate for 'social prescribing' to local resources instead of medication.
Researchers at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center are investigating whether turmeric can successfully reduce joint pain in breast cancer patients and improve their quality of life. The study aims to provide important data on the safety and effectiveness of using turmeric with oral anti-estrogen therapy.
Multimodal analgesia combines different techniques and medications to optimize pain management while minimizing opioid use and risks. Recent studies have shown that multimodal analgesia can improve pain scores and side effects compared to opioid-based regimens.
Research shows aspirin can reduce ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction risk by 36% in pneumonia patients. Aspirin also lowers MI rates by 54%, providing potential preventive role for primary care settings.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that muscle relaxants have a small effect on reducing pain intensity in the short term, but this effect is not clinically meaningful. The use of muscle relaxants may also increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness and nausea.
A survey of 56 residents and 57 faculty members revealed differences in opioid prescribing habits, with faculty preferring more opioids for some procedures. The study aims to improve surgical recovery by developing new protocols and a dashboard to track opioid prescribing practices.
Researchers developed amperometric biosensors to determine diclofenac levels in food, improving detection limits and accuracy. The study found that diclofenac inhibits tyrosinase enzyme activity, enabling its detection in milk and other dairy products.
A large study found that pregnant women using over-the-counter painkillers have a higher risk of preterm delivery, stillbirth, and neonatal death. Healthcare guidance for pregnant women regarding non-prescription painkiller use should be reassessed.
A new study by NIH-funded researchers found that a diet higher in fatty fish and lower in vegetable oils can reduce the number of migraines and intensity of pain. Participants experienced a 30-40% reduction in headache hours per day compared to those on a control diet.
A naturally occurring peptide in sunflower seeds has been identified as a potential drug for treating abdominal pain or inflammation. The peptide selectively activates pain transmission pathways without causing opioid side effects, reducing the risk of dependency and overdose.
A new study found that over 70% of people with fibromyalgia who use CBD substitute it for opioids or other pain medications, reporting improved symptom relief. CBD is being used as a harm reduction strategy due to its non-intoxicating properties and lower potential for abuse.
Researchers have identified a new potential treatment for IBS pain, derived from tarantula venom. In mice experiments, the molecule Tsp1a significantly reduced symptoms associated with chronic IBS pain, without interfering with other body functions.
A new study reveals that common OTC drugs for sore throat are more harm than good, causing inflammation and damage to upper respiratory cells. Biovanta, a naturally derived drug, has been shown to reduce inflammation and treat respiratory inflammation effectively.
Recent guidelines discourage routine aspirin use in adults 70 and older, but research suggests that older adults with diabetes may have potential overuse of aspirin therapy. If not actively discontinued, this could lead to unnecessary risks and side effects.
New study finds that elderly RA patients are not at higher risk of serious infections with bDMARDs or JAKi, but glucocorticoid use and underlying diseases increase the risk. Better physical capacity is associated with a lower risk of serious infection.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that NSAIDs like ibuprofen provide better pain control with fewer adverse effects than codeine after outpatient surgery. Patients taking NSAIDs reported lower pain scores and fewer side effects compared to those taking codeine.
Researchers developed a novel gene therapy approach that utilizes acetaminophen to correct disease-causing mutations and make liver cells immune to its toxic effects. This allows treated cells to multiply and reduces the need for liver transplants in treating genetic disorders.
New studies suggest that treating post-surgery pain with non-opioid medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can lead to equal short-term outcomes and patient satisfaction as opioids. Researchers analyzed data from over 22,000 patients who had one of seven common operations at 70 hospitals.
A Curtin study reveals that aspirin, a naturally occurring compound found in willow trees, can improve the survival of grass species important for ecological restoration and sustainable pasture. Low concentrations of salicylic acid applied to seeds can boost plant growth and resistance to stress.
Researchers at Medical College of Wisconsin discovered a non-opioid based target to alleviate chronic touch pain and spontaneous pain in mice. The target, TRPC5, is expressed in both mouse and human neurons that send pain signals to the spinal cord.
A two-year study found that providing patients with free access to essential medicines increases adherence by 35% and reduces total health spending by an average of over $1,000 per patient per year. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, tested the effects of free medication on a selected set of medications.
A team of scientists from Pompeu Fabra University has developed a peptide that allows delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to fight pain in mice without cognitive side effects. The peptide, which interrupts the interaction between THC and serotonin receptors, improves memory capacity while providing analgesia.
The HOST-EXAM trial found that patients who received clopidogrel experienced a 30% reduced risk of adverse events compared to those on aspirin. This study confirms the effectiveness of long-term maintenance therapy with clopidogrel as an alternative to aspirin for patients who have completed dual antiplatelet therapy.
A study presented at ACC.21 found that low- and high-dose aspirin achieved similar health benefits for those with cardiovascular disease, including reduced death and hospitalization rates. However, the higher dose group was more likely to switch doses and discontinue use due to tolerability concerns.
Researchers found no significant differences in cardiovascular events or major bleeding between patients taking 81mg or 325mg daily doses of aspirin. Long-term adherence was better among those taking the lower dose.
A new observational study published in The Lancet Rheumatology found that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken prior to hospital admission for COVID-19 do not increase mortality rates. In fact, the use of NSAIDs was similar among patients who had taken them and those who had not. This large-scale study provides reassura...
A patient support program for people with autoimmune diseases and complex medication regimens can help them avoid using opioids or reduce their use. The study found that patients in the program were 13% less likely to start taking opioid pain medications and 26% less likely to fill two or more opioid prescriptions.
A novel CBD analog, KLS-13019, has been shown to effectively alleviate pain and reverse sensitivity in mice with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The study suggests that KLS-13019 may have an additional mechanism of action beyond pain relief, potentially disrupting opioid-seeking behavior.
A new study found that short-term air pollution exposure can impair cognitive performance, but taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin can reduce these effects. The study used data from the Normative Aging Study and found that elevated PM2.5 exposure over 28 days was associated with declines in global cognitiv...
A study in cells and mice finds a positive allosteric modulator can boost endorphins' ability to activate the mu-opioid receptor, producing analgesia with reduced side effects. The compound shows promise as an alternative to traditional opioid drugs for pain relief.
A new study led by Syracuse University researchers finds that CBD reduces pain intensity while making it less unpleasant. The study reveals a complex interplay between the drug's physical effects and participants' expectations, challenging previous assumptions about pain relief.
A study of over 2,500 hospital patients discharged to hospice care found a decreasing trend of opioid prescriptions and an increase in less powerful non-opioid analgesics. This may lead to undertreated pain in terminally ill patients.
A new study found that nearly one-third of patients prescribed a direct oral anticoagulant were also taking aspirin without a clear reason, leading to an increased risk of bleeding events. The researchers emphasize the importance of consulting with doctors to determine if combination therapy is necessary for individual patients.
The company's Abiprot technology identifies antibody binding sites on native-state, disease-relevant proteins at high resolution. The platform has the potential to bring game-changing benefits to large populations of patients suffering from uncurable diseases.
The pandemic led to a sharp drop in new opioid prescriptions and a decline in buprenorphine treatment for opioid dependency among new patients. This reduced access to treatment may have increased overdose deaths.
A new study reveals a potential mechanism linking traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as a method for preventing nerve cell degeneration after injury. Researchers discovered a blood biomarker of neurodegeneration that could stage severity and progression of TBI-induced nerve cell deterioration.
A study of 940 children found nearly a quarter wanted stronger pain treatment after appendectomies and tonsillectomies, associated with sleep impairments and movement pain. Precautionary administration of non-opioid analgesics may reduce opioid use after surgery.
A new study published in the Journal of Pain found that when male and female patients express the same amount of pain, women's pain is perceived as less intense. The researchers analyzed facial expressions and self-reported pain levels to measure bias, concluding that gender stereotypes play a role in these disparities.
Regular use of baby aspirin before a diagnosis of non-metastatic colorectal cancer is associated with better survival outcomes. The study found that low-dose aspirin use limits the spread of cancerous tumors pre-diagnosis, leading to lower death rates from the disease.
A new study suggests that a stricter definition of high blood pressure during pregnancy could identify more women at risk of developing life-threatening complications. The revised definition would make over 50,000 additional women eligible for aspirin treatment to prevent preeclampsia.
A multicenter study found that aspirin was not equally effective as blood thinners in treating cervical artery dissections. The international study showed a higher risk of problems with aspirin treatment compared to anticoagulation.
Researchers found that ibuprofen inhibits the alternative splicing event generating RAC1B, overexpressed in BRAF-mutated colorectal tumors. Ibuprofen disrupts a WNK1/GSK3β/SRPK1 protein kinase complex, promoting nuclear exclusion of SRPK1 and SRSF1.
Researchers found that low-dose aspirin reduced the need for mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, and in-hospital mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Aspirin use was associated with a decreased risk of these severe outcomes, including a 44% reduction in mechanical ventilation.
An observational study analyzed data from 10,477 individuals in Israel and found that aspirin use was associated with a 29% lower likelihood of COVID-19 infection. Aspirin treatment was also linked to shorter conversion times for positive to negative PCR test results and reduced disease duration.
A new guideline for reducing opioid use post-surgery has led to a high pain management satisfaction rate of over 90%, with 83% of patients properly disposing of unused pills. The guideline takes into account individual patients' perception of pain, setting expectations and prescribing non-opioid analgesics to minimize opioid use.
Researchers have discovered a new pathway in the brain that provides pain relief and reduces opioid cravings. The study found that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) targeting the motor cortex was significantly more effective at reducing pain and opioid urge than targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered that a combination of three decades-old antibiotics can block pain triggered by nerve damage. The finding offers an alternative to opioid-based painkillers and could potentially treat chronic pain caused by damaged nerves.
A study analyzing 11,392 U.S. adults aged 50+ found that many take aspirin despite lack of benefit, while others miss out on statins after cardiovascular events. The authors emphasize the need for healthcare providers to educate patients and promote safer prescribing practices
A recent study from Indiana University found that supply-controlling and harm-reduction policy measures implemented in response to the opioid epidemic may have unintended consequences, including motivating users to switch to alternative illicit substances, leading to higher overdose mortality.
Researchers at University of California - San Diego will investigate psilocybin's safety and efficacy in treating chronic phantom limb pain. The study aims to elucidate brain mechanisms involved, including possible alterations in brain circuitry.
A new study published in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery found that aspirin is a safer alternative to warfarin for preventing blood clots in children after Fontan surgery. Patients on aspirin had lower risks of bleeding and poorer bone mineral density compared to those on warfarin.
Researchers found paracetamol alone is superior to high-dose NSAID alone for posttraumatic extremity pain. A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine shows taking paracetamol as a first-line therapy can effectively manage mild to moderate post-traumatic extremity pain after discharge from the emergency department.
A study published in the journal Pain identifies specialised ion channels involved in transmitting pain signals from the female reproductive tract. The research provides novel findings that could lead to improved treatment options for women experiencing chronic pelvic pain associated with endometriosis and vulvodynia.
Researchers have created an experimental vaccine that has shown promise in blunting the deadly effects of synthetic opioids like fentanyl and carfentanil. In early tests, the vaccine demonstrated significant reduction in fatal respiratory effects, offering hope for a new treatment approach to combat the opioid crisis.
A new study suggests that long-term aspirin use before a diagnosis of colorectal cancer may be associated with lower CRC-specific mortality. Preventing distant metastases leads to fewer deaths from colorectal cancer.
A recent study found that over half of primary care clinics in nine states refuse to accept opioid patients due to perceived stigma. Clinics gave more favorable responses when patients mentioned their last doctor had retired, suggesting systemic biases influence decision-making.