Articles tagged with Opioids
Overdose deaths involving cocaine or methamphetamine increased triply in the shadow of the opioid epidemic. Most fatal overdoses (70%) involved multiple substances, with most being opioids and stimulants. The study highlights disparities in overdose risk from stimulants among Black veterans and rural residents.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that nearly three-fourths of U.S. adults with buprenorphine use did not misuse the medication in 2019, trending downward between 2015-2019 despite increased treatment. The research highlights the need to expand access to proven treatment approaches like buprenorphine therapy to reduce misuse.
A new study maps opioid-related incidents and discards to identify high-risk neighborhoods and support targeted interventions. The research team used GIS data to highlight areas with the highest concentrations of discarded syringes and fatal overdoses.
A recent study by UCI researchers found that the extract of Corydalis yanhusuo prevents morphine tolerance, dependence, and addiction. The findings suggest that YHS may help reduce opiate overdose mortality when co-administered with morphine.
A 'think-twice' campaign for GPs has been found effective in reducing opioid prescribing in primary care, resulting in a net saving to the NHS of £700,000. The campaign led to a reduction of 15,000 fewer patients being given opioids over a year-long trial.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Immunology found that opioids can control gut immune responses, reduce colonic inflammation, and even promote the growth of regulatory T cells. The findings suggest that KNT-127 could be a promising therapeutic option for inflammatory bowel disease.
Scientists at Temple University will explore the therapeutic potential of KLS-13019, a CBD analog that shows promise as an opioid alternative. The Phase 2 SBIR grant aims to test the compound's effects on rat models of neuropathic pain, shedding light on its safety and efficacy.
Researchers analyzed two years of health data to identify trends and patterns in overdose deaths during the pandemic. Men, jobless individuals, and those with mental health diagnoses experienced the largest increases in overdose death rates, with synthetic opioids and personal residence being significant factors.
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 study analyzing Medicare data found that racial and ethnic minority groups received fewer opioid prescriptions for new low back pain compared to white patients. This disparity persisted during the first wave of the opioid epidemic, despite growing awareness of its adverse effects.
Researchers identified sex-dependent changes in gene expression in the brainstem during neonatal opioid withdrawal, which could lead to new therapeutic targets for preventing or mitigating Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome symptoms. The study found that prenatal opioid exposure compromised neurodevelopmental 'wiring' of the brain and...
West Virginia University researcher Judith Feinberg is integrating services for opioid use disorder, the hepatitis C virus and HIV in 20 primary care clinics across the state. The project aims to address the intertwined opioid and HIV epidemics through efficient and comprehensive care.
Researchers reviewed 79 studies on neurocognitive impairments and brain abnormalities associated with nonfatal opioid overdoses in humans. The findings suggest a link between overdose, cognitive impairment, and brain changes, which could influence attention span, memory, and executive function.
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.
Researchers found a spike in prescription opioid and anti-anxiety sedative consumption, while illicit drug use plummeted during the early pandemic. The study used wastewater analysis to track community-wide habits and anxiety levels.
A national study suggests that half of pediatric opioid prescriptions are considered high-risk, increasing the risk of overdose and addiction. A small group of prescribers in the top 5% account for half of these high-risk prescriptions, particularly dentists or surgeons who practice mainly in the South.
The American Heart Association highlights recommendations to safely manage pain, screen for opioid use disorder, and support treatment. The advisory aims to mitigate the devastating intersection of opioid abuse and cardiovascular disease.
A new study has found that chronic opioid use changes gene expression in the brains of people with opioid use disorder (OUD), suggesting proinflammatory signaling and synaptic remodeling. The affected genes involved in immune response and neuronal connections were also identified, offering new targets for treatment.
Researchers investigated the link between state opioid prescription duration limits and changes in opioid prescribing. The study found that limiting initial opioid prescriptions may lead to a decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths, but also increase unnecessary hospitalizations.
Research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing documents essential components of hospital care models for patients with opioid use disorder. The review found that addiction medicine consult services facilitate connection to post-discharge care and improve outcomes.
A UC Davis Health study found that patients on stable opioid therapy who had their doses tapered had significantly higher rates of overdose and mental health crisis. The study suggests that patients undergoing tapering need significant support to safely reduce or discontinue their opioids.
An observational study examined the association between opioid dose tapering and rates of overdose and mental health crisis among patients prescribed long-term opioids. The study found a significant correlation between opioid dose reduction and increased risk of overdose and mental health crisis.
Recent Mayo Clinic research reveals a significant increase in opioid overdose-related emergency department visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Opioid overdoses accounted for 1 in every 313 visits, up from 1 in every 400 visits in previous years.
The National Institutes of Health's HEALthy Brain and Child Development study aims to identify the impacts of prenatal substance exposure on child development. A 50-state analysis of laws addressing substance use during pregnancy highlights diverse state-by-state policies, with some statutes being more punitive than others.
Research exposes lifelong effects of prenatal oxycodone exposure on offspring behavior, social interactions, and gene expression. Mice exposed to opioids before birth show signs of impaired physical activity and social behavior even in adulthood.
A new meta-analysis suggests that people who use cannabis are more than twice as likely to initiate opioid use and develop problematic patterns of use compared to those who don't use cannabis. However, the low quality of evidence makes it unclear whether there is a causal relationship between cannabis and subsequent opioid use.
A study found that high-dose buprenorphine administered in emergency departments is safe and tolerable, providing extended withdrawal relief and helping patients navigate barriers to follow-up care. The therapy may enhance opioid use disorder treatment outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations.
A multi-year trial found that co-locating contraceptive services in opioid treatment programs with financial incentives significantly increased the use of effective contraception among women with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), leading to a reduction in unintended pregnancies. The intervention also showed cost-beneficial results, with each ...
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (z-drugs) significantly increase the risk of death when used in combination with opioid pain medications. The risk is particularly high for those taking benzodiazepines, which had a 221% increased risk of death.
A recent study published in Health Economics found that states with recreational marijuana laws experienced a short-term decline in opioid-related emergency department visits. This decline was most pronounced among 25- to 44-year-olds and men, suggesting that cannabis may be substituting for opioids as a pain relief measure.
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.
A recent study from Lawson Health Research Institute found that frequent use of Paravertebral blocks increases health care utilization, including physician visits and other injection procedures. The study also showed no overall change in opioid dosage after the initiation of PVB treatment.
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.
This study examined opioid prescribing trends among children, adolescents, and young adults from 2006 to 2018. The results showed a significant increase in rates, dosages, and duration of opioids prescribed during this period.
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 by University of Utah Health finds that people with lower back pain injury miss 11 more days of work in a year when only receiving non-recommended treatments compared to those treated according to guidelines. The study suggests that adherence to medical guidelines leads to faster resolution of back pain.
A UofSC researcher is conducting a four-year study to improve access to alcohol use disorder treatment for vulnerable populations under Medicaid. The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of these programs and provide guidance on structuring coverage and utilization management parameters.
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 identified microglia as key cell type responsible for brain changes in OUD, revealing a critical role for neuroinflammation in driving pathological alterations. The study also uncovered new mechanisms by which opioids alter brain structure and function, leading to behavioral changes.
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.
Scientists identified conolidine's interaction with ACKR3/CXCR7, a novel opioid receptor, to increase analgesic activity and block pain relief-dampening effects. A synthetic analogue, RTI-5152-12, was developed to enhance pharmacological properties.
A secret shopper study found that pregnant women are 20% less likely to be accepted for opioid treatment than non-pregnant women, citing long on-hold times and difficult interactions. The study highlights the need for increased access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) regardless of pregnancy status.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that people treated for opioid use disorder are less likely to find a new primary care provider within a year. This is particularly true for those receiving opioid agonist therapy, where patients are 45% less likely to secure another primary care physician.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found long-term exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of losing one's smell by nearly twice, potentially due to airborne pollutants reaching the olfactory nerve. The study also highlights the need for better air pollution management, especially in vulnerable populations.
A new study published in European Journal of Anaesthesiology found that NOL pain monitoring technology can detect the effect of dexmedetomidine on patients' pain response, enabling administration of less intraoperative opioids. The study demonstrated the potential for significant opioid sparing during surgery.
A new study found that older adults with functional impairments are at higher risk of using prescription opioids, tranquilizers/sedatives, and medical cannabis. This population is more susceptible to substance use disorders and mental health issues due to chronic pain, insomnia, or anxiety.
A new study found that Connecticut's MAT programs have higher-than-average patient retention rates, with 58.9% of participants remaining in the program at six months. However, younger patients and those using cocaine or crack alongside opioids had lower retention rates, highlighting the need for targeted strategies.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, naloxone prescriptions decreased in the US, while overall prescriptions and opioid prescriptions remained relatively stable. Researchers analyzed changes in prescription trends to better understand the impact of the pandemic on opioid use.
A study published in JAMA Health Forum found that nonfatal opioid overdose visits have more than doubled during the pandemic, while few patients who overdosed on opioids had received a prescription for naloxone. The number of individuals filling naloxone prescriptions fell by over 25% throughout the pandemic.
A study at Hospital for Special Surgery found that older age, female sex, and higher comorbidities are associated with persistent opioid use in pediatric patients. The research aims to inform clinicians about risk factors for opioid dependence in this vulnerable population.
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that duloxetine reduced cumulative opioid use by 30% in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty compared to those receiving placebo. Patients who received duloxetine also reported higher pain management satisfaction and less pain interference with daily activities.
Researchers found gaps in patients' understanding of opioid use, pain management, and proper storage/disposal. Patients may benefit from educating them on multimodal analgesia and safe opioid use practices.
A Penn Medicine study reveals that opioid supply shortages in emergency departments can lead to a decrease in opioid use, but no significant change in dosing. The shortage led to a shift from IV opioid use to oral formulations.
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 study presented at the AATS Annual Meeting found that modifying the ERATS protocol significantly reduced in-hospital and post-discharge opioid consumption, particularly Schedule II opioids. The optimized protocol included replacing saline with 0.25% bupivacaine and switching tramadol to as-needed scheduling.
A new study from the University of Michigan shows that overdose rates were two and a half times higher among patients who filled a prescription for an opioid medication after a dental procedure compared to those who didn
A study found that kratom use is relatively rare in the general US population, affecting only 0.7% of adults and adolescents, but more prevalent among people with opioid use disorder, who report a 10.3% rate of kratom use. Kratom use is also associated with depression, serious mental illness, and other factors.
A new study by Henry Ford Health System has found that a non-opioid approach to managing pain after knee surgery is just as effective as traditional opioid-based methods. The novel multimodal pain management protocol, developed at Henry Ford, brings immediate pain relief without the use of powerful opioids.
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.