Research on opioids, addiction, and treatment. Covers traditional care practices, opioid treatment in pregnancy, illicit fentanyl, and treatment disparities.
Researchers are evaluating the health and economic consequences of subpar buprenorphine dosing among Medicaid-covered pregnant women to improve maternal and infant outcomes. Data suggest that up to 90% of pregnant women require higher doses of buprenorphine.
Patients exposed to medetomidine report extreme sedation, severe withdrawal symptoms, and treatment challenges, highlighting the need for improved surveillance and clinical protocols. The study emphasizes the importance of awareness and tailored treatment for patients with opioid use disorder.
A statewide evaluation will assess the implementation and impact of California's traditional health care practices benefit, covering culturally grounded healing approaches for substance use disorders. The project aims to identify best practices for strengthening access to traditional healing and improving care for Native communities.
A $3.3 million NIH grant will support a five-year study on opioid treatment during breastfeeding, aiming to improve drug safety for lactating mothers. The researchers will develop a cell-based assay and use physiologically based pharmacokinetic models to predict drug levels in mothers and infants.
A study published in eClinicalMedicine found that illicit fentanyl use is more than twice as common as medically based use in the US. Illicit users have a significantly higher risk of opioid-related harmful outcomes, with a 3-fold higher risk of nonfatal overdose.
A new report from Adelaide University highlights significant medicine safety challenges among culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Nearly half of PBS medicine recipients with limited English proficiency were dispensed six or more medicines, increasing the risk of medicine-related harm.
A cohort study of pregnant females with opioid use disorder found higher discontinuation rates for Black females compared to White females, with less disparity for methadone treatment. Persistent racial and ethnic inequities in treatment retention were observed during and after pregnancy.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a wearable microneedle patch called the iNal patch that can detect fentanyl in the body and automatically release naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose. The patch uses porous silica nanoparticles loaded with naloxone, which is released when fentanyl levels are detected.
A new study at Boston Medical Center found that a trauma-informed clinical guideline can reduce reflexive Child Protective Services reporting by 50% without compromising child safety. The study analyzed birth hospitalizations involving infants exposed prenatally to opioids and compared reporting rates to 17 other hospitals.
A study found 161 differentially expressed genes in individuals with opioid dependence, including genes involved in immune and inflammatory processes. The researchers also developed a transcriptomic aging clock that predicts chronological age from gene expression patterns.
A new study reveals that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) is highly effective in reducing opioid misuse and costs. The therapy, which combines mindfulness skills to regulate craving and pain, has been shown to provide $12 in cost savings for every dollar spent, with potential economic benefits of over $324,000 per patient.
A cohort study analyzing factors associated with abandoned buprenorphine prescriptions found that US adults are increasingly dropping their medication for opioid use disorder. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, examines the decline of prescribed buprenorphine from 2020 to 2024.
A nonrandomized trial found that aggregate neighborhood environmental interventions, including abandoned house remediation, significantly reduced fatal opioid overdoses. Community trash pickup and vacant lot cleanup were not associated with significant reductions or increases in opioid overdose rates.
New research uses mice to explore mechanisms for combating slow breathing from fentanyl, a symptom that can lead to overdose and death. Altering the activity of specific neurons increased breathing rates, while targeting another signaling system alleviated slow breathing.
Same-day naloxone availability differs across pharmacy types, with independent and medical-affiliated pharmacies facing challenges in rural and underserved areas. Expanding pharmacist education is crucial to improve naloxone access following OTC approval.
A study found that cancer care providers are more likely to be aware of the risks of cannabis use, but less comfortable discussing it with patients. In contrast, survivors feel more comfortable discussing cannabis with their care team and hold more positive attitudes towards its use.
A new study suggests that a gradual approach to tapering opioid doses, putting the patient in control, can help them reduce their opioid use long-term without increasing pain. After 12 months, about half of patients achieved a successful response, defined as cutting their opioid dose by at least 50%.
A cohort study of opioid-naive patients found that most achieved pain resolution within 3 weeks, but some reported prolonged opioid use. Current guidelines may not serve all patients, emphasizing the need for tailored treatment approaches.
Adolescents in the US are unaware of the dangers of fentanyl misuse, emphasizing the importance of public education programs and clinical communication. The study reveals a significant portion of younger adolescents are not aware of the risks associated with fentanyl use.
A new PNAS special feature showcases the critical role of behavioral and decision sciences in U.S. governance, highlighting how psychological and economic research protect public health, consumer rights, and finances across federal agencies. The research demonstrates how 'invisible' scientific frameworks streamline medical drug reviews...
A recent study published by the University of the Basque Country found that girls are the biggest consumers of psychotropic drugs among adolescents in most European countries. The research team analyzed data from 32 European countries and discovered a significant link between consumption rates, gender equality, and economic level.
Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago has successfully eliminated months of postoperative pain for microtia patients through a minimally invasive nerve freezing procedure. The method, which lasts only 20 minutes, allows patients to enjoy natural ear sensation and appearance without prolonged pain or opioid use.
A cohort study found that Medicaid prescription caps were associated with lower overall prescription medication use and greater frequency of acute care visits among young adults with opioid use disorder. This suggests that the implementation of these caps may have unintended consequences for individuals struggling with addiction.
A large cohort study found that antenatal opioid exposure was associated with impaired cerebral cortical folding in newborns. The extent of impairment differed based on the opioid type and presence of polysubstance exposure. Longitudinal assessments aim to inform early interventions for vulnerable populations.
A recent study found significant increases in amputation rates among both opioid- and non-opioid-related hospitalizations between 2016 and 2022. Opioid-related amputations were more common at higher anatomical levels, highlighting the need for earlier intervention to prevent severe harm.
A new study found that a pediatric surgery program reduced opioid use during hospitalization by 56%. The program, which includes 21 best practices, also improved recovery outcomes for children, including faster eating, shorter hospital stays, and lower complication rates.
A multicenter clinical trial found that implementing ERPs improved outcomes for children undergoing gastrointestinal surgery, with reduced time to regular diet after surgery and decreased opioid use. Hospitals with strong quality improvement culture and commitment to ERPs saw the most success in implementation.
The study found that Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Team (START) was a cost-effective approach for addressing opioid use disorder in the inpatient setting, increasing medication initiation and linkage to care after discharge. Additionally, START improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
A recent study found a one-year mortality rate of 8.6% among opioid overdose survivors, significantly higher than previous estimates. The study also revealed that 21.2% of individuals experienced repeat overdoses within the same year.
A multi-institutional team led by Sanford Burnham Prebys aims to develop a non-opioid pain therapeutic using lead molecule SBI-810. The effort, funded by a $3.9 million NIH grant, seeks to optimize the compound into a drug that could provide effective pain relief without addiction risks.
Historian Benjamin R. Siegel's book 'Markets of Pain' explores how opium was used as a commodity to wield power and control supply chains, contributing to the opioid epidemic. India's unique history with opium production, inherited from colonial era systems, is also examined.
A randomized clinical trial found symptom-based dosing decreases discharge time compared to scheduled opioid taper approaches among infants with opioid withdrawal. This approach, using Eat, Sleep, Console, led to faster recovery and improved outcomes.
A new study shows that while dental opioid prescription fills in the US have dropped by 27% since 2021, the rate remains higher than in other developed countries and the US territory of Puerto Rico. The study suggests that some US dentists are still overprescribing opioids.
A cross-sectional study found a substantial increase in medication use for opioid use disorder among Medicaid beneficiaries, potentially contributing to reductions in overdose deaths. The study suggests that expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder may be an effective strategy to address the opioid crisis.
A retrospective cohort study found that outpatient early methadone dose titration is associated with improved treatment retention in individuals using fentanyl. This approach also lowers the risk of opioid toxicity, according to Canadian and US clinical guidance.
A recent study found a decline in long-term opioid prescribing in the US between 2015 and 2023, with a 24.3% decrease in patients receiving extended therapy. However, approximately 4.2 million US patients still received opioids for 90 days or longer in 2023, indicating the need for improved treatment models for chronic pain management.
Long-term opioid therapy prescription rates declined in the US from 2015 to 2023, despite a growing population of older adults receiving these treatments. Approximately 4-5 million patients were prescribed long-term opioids in 2023, with Medicare covering a larger proportion, raising concerns about safety.
Researchers at NIH have identified a novel opioid compound that shows potential as a therapy for both pain and opioid use disorder. The new drug, called DFNZ, has high pain-relieving effects without causing respiratory depression or addiction.
A new study proposes that the brain's reward system is built to optimize energy, not pleasure. Researchers argue that dopamine and opioids function as physiological agents to manage the body's energetic budget, guiding behavior and learning.
The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry has secured a $9 million NIH grant to develop a targeted, non-opioid treatment for chronic pain associated with muscle and joint dysfunction. Researchers will map the biology of facial pain, identify specialized neurons, and analyze gene expression changes to design effective treatments.
The study found that opioids provide only small, time-limited pain relief for certain pain conditions, such as stomach pain and dental surgery. Regular use of opioids comes with a risk of harm, including dependence and overdose.
A new study published in JAMA found that emergency department-initiated buprenorphine for opioid use disorder was well-tolerated and effective, with a low risk of withdrawal. The 7-day extended-release and sublingual buprenorphine groups showed similar treatment engagement rates on day 7.
A new study found that removing legal barriers to cannabis use may reduce daily opioid use and lower the risk of opioid-related overdoses among people who inject drugs. US states that legalized recreational cannabis saw a 9-to-11-percentage-point decline in daily opioid use among this population.
A new systematic review and meta-analysis by Penn Nursing researchers has identified four primary patient-related risk factors that predict chronic opioid use after surgery. These include Medicaid enrollment, preoperative benzodiazepine use, mood disorders, and anxiety. The study's findings provide a roadmap for clinicians to implement...
Research shows that methadone and buprenorphine prescriptions have risen significantly since 2010, reducing opioid-related deaths by half. However, only a quarter of individuals with opioid use disorder receive medication treatment, highlighting the need for expanded access to these life-saving medications.
Research suggests that blocking growth factor receptor signaling using cancer drugs may overcome two challenges: managing oral cancer pain and preventing opioid tolerance. This approach could control cancer while addressing pain through a non-opioid, biologically rational approach.
A 2025 survey found that U.S. adults view opioid overdose as a serious problem, with differing opinions on who is responsible for reducing overdose rates. The study suggests varying preferences for future actions to address overdose among conservatives, moderates, and liberals.
Financial settlements from opioid epidemic lawsuits are being redirected to fund potentially lifesaving interventions. These efforts aim to curb overdose deaths and improve public health outcomes.
A new study by the University of Texas at Arlington examines how updated CDC guidelines can help nurse practitioners reduce opioid misuse and protect patients. The guidelines emphasize individualized care, clinical judgment, and ongoing reassessment to ensure safe prescribing practices.
Researchers seek to improve burn trauma care by targeting a signaling kinase enzyme with a new-generation inhibitor. The goal is to reduce opioids needed for pain relief and scarring, improving patient recovery from trauma injury.
Researchers identified bradycardia as a symptom of xylazine-opioid overdose, particularly in the Northeast, where xylazine is more prevalent. This finding may aid emergency medicine physicians in detecting xylazine exposure and providing harm reduction counseling.
A new study of over 32,000 US Veterans found that longer treatment with medications for opioid use disorder is associated with a greater probability of short- and medium-term survival. The benefit continues to increase at least for four years of ongoing treatment.
This randomized clinical trial found yoga to significantly accelerate opioid withdrawal recovery and improve autonomic regulation, anxiety, sleep, and pain. The study supports the integration of yoga into withdrawal protocols as a neurobiologically informed intervention addressing core regulatory processes.
Researchers distinguish between medical and community-based approaches to safe supply, proposing a framework for better describing care models. The study aims to inform policy changes and improve access to care, decrease overdoses, and reduce stigma around people who use drugs.
Researchers found that abstinent smokers have altered brain activity linked to increased pain sensitivity and a need for more postoperative pain relief. The study suggests that nicotine withdrawal affects specific brain regions, leading to higher requirements for pain management in surgery.
A cohort study found that participation in New York's medical cannabis program was associated with lower rates of opioid prescription during a 18-month follow-up. The study controlled for unregulated cannabis use, suggesting that medical cannabis may be an effective alternative to opioids for managing chronic pain.
The company has secured $5 million in funding to support Phase 1 and pivotal trials for its therapies aimed at addressing opioid-induced respiratory depression and improving anesthesia recovery. This financing marks a transformative moment for OYE Therapeutics, positioning the company to enter clinical development with confidence.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown sodium-binding site on GlyT2, which supplies the energetic drive required for glycine transport. The study also uncovered a distinctive allosteric binding pocket for lipid-based inhibitors, providing a foundation for rational design of improved analgesics.
The prevalence of injecting methamphetamine only or both methamphetamine and opioids increased among people who inject drugs entering treatment in the US between 2012 and 2023. This trend is consistent with prior work showing increases in opioid and methamphetamine co-use before the COVID-19 pandemic.
This study confirms the role of negative reinforcement in chronic opioid use, contributing to addiction development. The findings suggest that this mechanism is present even after regular opioid use, highlighting potential for more effective prevention and treatment strategies.