Articles tagged with Analgesics
A new study published in BMJ Quality & Safety shows significant reductions in opioid prescribing and consumption after surgery, with no increase in patient pain or satisfaction. The study's findings suggest that team-based approaches to reducing opioid use can lead to sustained success and improved patient outcomes.
A new study suggests that aspirin use is most beneficial for individuals with high coronary calcium scores and a low risk of bleeding. The research found that for patients with CAC scores above 100, aspirin's benefits outweigh its risks, but this effect only applies to those with inherent low bleeding risks.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found a link between the increased availability of high-dose paracetamol tablets and a rise in poisoning cases. The study suggests that limiting pack sizes and promoting lower doses could help minimize accidental overdoses.
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients taking daily low-dose aspirin had lower risk of ICU admission, ventilation, and dying from the virus. The study found a 44% reduction in mechanical ventilator use, 43% decrease in ICU admission, and 47% decrease in hospital death compared to those not taking aspirin.
A new study published in The Journal of Physiology found that administering a low dose of ketamine to healthy individuals does not alter their ability to tolerate simulated major blood loss. This study provides valuable insights for medical personnel when choosing pain medication for serious injuries with accompanying blood loss.
The VOYAGER PAD trial found that drug-coated devices do not increase mortality risk in patients with peripheral artery disease. Rivaroxaban use consistently reduced ischemic limb and cardiovascular outcomes regardless of device type.
A clinical study has identified the most effective treatments for cryptogenic sensory polyneuropathy (CSPN), a condition affecting over 20 million people in the US. Nortriptyline and duloxetine emerged as top performers, with nortriptyline showing the highest efficacy rate.
University of Delaware researchers develop tiny cargo-carrying systems that can selectively bind to degrading collagen, providing site-specific medicine delivery over longer periods. These nanoparticle carriers have the potential to improve treatment for diseases like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Experts warn that opioids prescribed after surgery can lead to persistent use, addiction, and harm, including respiratory impairment and driving accidents. To mitigate these risks, hospitals must adopt strict opioid stewardship programs involving multidisciplinary teams.
A study found that FDA evaluations for new opioid drugs approved between 1997 and 2018 lacked systematic assessments of safety-related outcomes, particularly for chronic pain applications. The analysis revealed that trials often excluded patients who could not tolerate the drugs and failed to assess important adverse events.
For over two decades, the FDA has approved new opioids based on studies lacking critical safety and efficacy data. The agency's regulatory activities have been scrutinized due to the role prescription opioids played in driving the opioid epidemic.
South Rampart Pharma, a New Orleans life science company, has been awarded a $1.9 million NIH STTR grant to develop a new class of non-opioid medicines for pain relief and fever reduction. The company aims to create a safer treatment option for acute and chronic pain, which affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
A new study found that gabapentin, a commonly used drug for chronic pelvic pain, is no more effective than a placebo in treating the condition. Researchers recommend exploring alternative therapies such as physiotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy instead.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Pain found that holding a newborn baby against their parent's skin dampens brain activity in response to painful stimuli. This suggests that touch between parents and their newborns plays an important role in pain processing and development.
A Rutgers study found that college students with disabilities are more likely to misuse prescription pain relievers and have a higher prevalence of drug use disorder. The study also highlights the need for healthcare providers to be aware of the risk of drug misuse in this population.
A recent study found that combining aspirin, metformin, and statins may decrease lung cancer incidence and mortality. The research analyzed data from over 732,000 Koreans and discovered that concurrent use of these medications was associated with lower risk and mortality rates.
A new study suggests that acetaminophen makes risky activities seem less dangerous, leading to increased risk-taking. The study found that participants who took the pain reliever rated activities like bungee jumping and starting a new career as less risky than those who took a placebo.
A Danish nationwide cohort study found no association between NSAID use and adverse outcomes in COVID-19 patients. The study suggests that the well-established risks of NSAIDs should be considered when using them during the pandemic.
Researchers genetically rewired yeast cells to manufacture tropane alkaloids, a family of chemical compounds used in traditional medicine for centuries. The breakthrough could provide new sources for plant-based medicines, addressing global shortages and supply chain disruptions.
A recent study by McMaster University found that only 28% of new Canadian drugs have clear pediatric data, and many critical diseases lack approved treatments. This absence perpetuates 'off-label' drug use, which can lead to inadequate treatment or increased side effects.
The opioid crisis presents complex ethical challenges, including the conflation of pain policy with drug policy. Researchers argue that tailoring policy to root causes can improve treatment outcomes. Disentangling these issues is crucial for developing humane and ethical solutions.
The POPular TAVI trial found that aspirin alone significantly reduced bleeding rates compared to aspirin with clopidogrel after TAVI. Aspirin therapy was also superior for secondary outcomes, including non-procedural bleeding and thromboembolic events.
Researchers develop a yeast-based platform to synthesize complex bioactive molecules efficiently. This method uses baker's yeast as a substitute in drug development research, enabling the large-scale production of thousands of products, including opioid analgesics.
Researchers from NTU Singapore have invented a new type of surgical glue that can join blood vessels and close wounds faster, reducing surgery time by 25%. The glue, named CaproGlu, is activated by UV light and forms a strong bond with biocompatible material.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science identify key molecule regulating biomolecular messaging in nerve cells, which plays a role in chronic pain. Targeting this molecule, importin alpha-3, could provide new options for treating chronic pain with fewer side effects.
A new study found that nearly three-quarters of older adults with dementia have filled prescriptions for medicines not designed for dementia, posing special risks. Antidepressants, opioids, and other drugs were commonly prescribed, often without addressing the underlying issues, and may even worsen cognitive symptoms.
Researchers found that patients who received daily text messages from an automated chatbot experienced a significant decrease in opioid use, averaging 26 pills compared to 41 for non-participants. This low-effort approach aims to reduce opioid dependence and is potentially transferable to other patient populations.
New research from UC Berkeley and University of Chicago finds a significant gender gap in drug dosages, leading to women experiencing worse side effects nearly twice as often as men. The study recommends dosage reductions for women for various medications, calling for broader awareness of biological sex and gender differences.
A recent clinical trial found that aspirin use increased the risk of advanced cancer progression and early death in older adults. Aspirin was associated with a higher risk of metastasized cancer and stage 4 cancer, leading to higher mortality rates among those diagnosed with advanced solid cancers.
Researchers successfully reduced metastatic spread by using medication treatment around the time of surgery, preventing development of metastases. The study found a significant reduction in metastasis development rate in treated patients compared to those receiving a placebo.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have developed a reliable method to predict an individual's susceptibility to pain using alpha wave frequency. This breakthrough could help clinicians understand how patients will react to surgery and develop more effective pain management strategies.
Research suggests that people with low selenium levels are at risk of paracetamol overdose even when following dosage guidelines. A lack of selenium can slow down the body's ability to eliminate paracetamol, making it more toxic.
A recent study found a significant increase in the number and rate of suicide-related calls to US Poison Control Centers involving over-the-counter analgesics. The trend was driven by increasing exposures among 6-19-year-old females, with children aged 6-19 accounting for half of all cases.
A randomized trial found that IV indomethacin was more effective in successfully closing hemodynamically significant PDAs in very low birth weight infants. The study showed a success rate of 55% for IV indomethacin versus 6% for IV acetaminophen.
A new study published by the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics found that ibuprofen does not hinder bone fracture healing in children. Six weeks after surgery, 92% of patients taking ibuprofen had healed fractures, compared to 82% in the control group.
A study found that women with a rare genetic variant in the KCNG4 gene have a higher pain threshold, allowing them to experience less pain during childbirth. The researchers believe this variant acts like a natural epidural, requiring stronger contractions to switch on pain signals.
A recent study found that most New Zealanders have large quantities of paracetamol stored at home, contributing to a significant number of calls to the National Poisons Centre. The study's results highlight the need for public initiatives to encourage safe disposal of unused medicines and prevent unnecessary accumulation.
A novel study by Keck Medicine of USC researchers reveals a potential new opioid medication that can slow the progression of osteoarthritis while easing pain. The medication, which activates the kappa opioid receptor, has been shown to preserve cartilage in joints and alleviate pain with reduced risk of addiction.
A team of researchers discovered a new class of pipeline drugs to relieve pain and reduce fever, excluding hepatotoxicity and opioid addiction. The findings have significant implications for acute and chronic pain management, particularly in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Boston University researchers have developed artificial genes called biosensors that can detect changes in signaling molecules, which are molecular on/off switches inside cells. These biosensors have the potential to improve drug development by allowing researchers to study G-proteins more accurately and easily.
Long-term use of muscle relaxants has increased dramatically since 2005, particularly among older adults, who are prescribed these drugs at a rate nearly three times that of their proportion in the US population. This trend is concerning, as it can lead to dangerous interactions with opioids and other serious side effects.
Researchers developed LIH383, a novel molecule targeting ACKR3, which modulates natural painkilling and antidepressant properties by reducing opioid peptide levels. This discovery offers an alternative therapeutic strategy for chronic pain, stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as cancer treatment.
A computer model of a sea slug's brain network became addicted to a highly rewarding but nutritionally empty drug, mimicking addiction in other organisms. The creature cycled between eating and chasing the drug due to desire for reward and satiation, eventually experiencing full-fledged withdrawal.
A new study finds that targeting the delta opioid receptor can provide sustained relief from chronic inflammatory pain. Researchers used nanoparticles to deliver a painkiller to the receptors, avoiding side effects and improving effectiveness.
A study published in The Lancet found that aspirin reduces colorectal cancer risk by half in genetically predisposed individuals, with preventive efficacy lasting 10-20 years. The CAPP2 trial showed that daily aspirin doses of 600mg reduced cancer risk compared to placebo.
Researchers at the University of Bath suggest that the shift to online consultations is helping patients with chronic pain access vital support during the pandemic. The study highlights the potential benefits of telemedicine in delivering services for patients suffering from conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and persistent he...
Research from Newcastle University reveals that aspirin can significantly reduce the risk of bowel cancer in people with Lynch syndrome. The study found that taking two aspirins a day for two years reduced colon cancer by half, with protection lasting over 10 years.
A study of 1,201 patients found that pre-surgery use of opioids, sedatives, or antidepressants increased complications after colorectal surgery. Regular opioid users faced higher risks of infections, respiratory failure, and mortality.
The review found that low-dose aspirin significantly lowers cardiovascular disease risk by 17% and increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and intracranial bleeding. The benefits should be weighted against the risks in formal decision analyses to guide aspirin use.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that antiepileptic drug use is associated with a significantly higher risk of death among people with Alzheimer's disease. The increased mortality risk was observed even after controlling for comorbidities and other factors.
A recent study by cardiologists at the University of Alberta found that combining a blood-thinning drug rivaroxaban with aspirin daily reduces major adverse events and mortality rates in patients with chronic coronary disease who have had an angioplasty. The treatment was found to be significantly better than aspirin alone in preventin...
A new study analyzed four years' worth of data from two million patients and found that those having dental procedures on Fridays or before holidays were more likely to fill opioid prescriptions. Non-opioid painkillers are equally effective at controlling pain with lower risks.
A review paper from McGill University found that pain research remains overwhelmingly biased towards male rodents, leading to ineffective treatments for female chronic pain sufferers. The study suggests that most current analgesics will largely work in men rather than women, highlighting a critical blind spot in pain research.
Over half of mums-to-be at risk of pre-eclampsia are not receiving preventive aspirin treatment, says consultant obstetrician. Making aspirin available from local pharmacies could help ward off the condition, says Dr Joanna Girling.
Researchers at UNM demonstrated that legal cannabis hemp oil reduced mechanical pain sensitivity by 10-fold in mice with chronic post-operative neuropathic pain. The study's findings suggest that hemp oil can be an effective treatment for chronic pain, offering a natural and relatively safe alternative to conventional drugs.
Researchers found heating poppy seeds at 392 F for 40 minutes degraded most opiates. Baking seeds in muffins didn't significantly change opiate concentrations due to uneven internal and external temperatures.
This study compared early postoperative pain in patients undergoing bilateral scheduled staged TKA, finding no significant differences between the first and second surgeries. The frequency and number of analgesic requests were also similar, but showed a positive correlation at 24 hours after the second surgery.
Researchers at Duke University found a single brain area, the CeAga neurons, which can profoundly control pain by turning off dozens of other pain-promotion centers. By activating this center, they can alleviate pain behaviors in mice, suggesting potential future treatments for chronic pain.
A new type of specially designed footwear has been shown to significantly reduce the pain associated with knee osteoarthritis. The biomechanical footwear was found to be effective in reducing pain scores, and may also have potential benefits for people with hip or back pain.
A recent trial demonstrated that an intensified antithrombotic regimen comprising rivaroxaban and aspirin reduces major adverse limb events by 46% compared to aspirin alone. The review highlights the need for better evidence on antithrombotic treatment in peripheral vascular interventions.