Articles tagged with Opioids
A study found that 14.6% of UK patients with new opioid prescriptions became long-term users, with risk factors including age, social deprivation, and history of self-harm or substance abuse. The study calls for safer prescribing practices to avoid addiction epidemics.
Researchers led by Dr. Alicia Allen will investigate how hormones influence postpartum opioid relapse and explore their potential use as a preventive measure. The goal is to identify protective hormones and develop a hormonally-based intervention to prevent postpartum opioid relapse.
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.
Researchers Brian Litt and Gregory Corder received $5.6M and $2.4M NIH awards to develop autonomous neurodevices that learn from patients and predict seizures. They aim to improve chronic pain management without opioid side effects.
A five-year study led by University of Illinois Chicago researchers will assess the effectiveness of acupuncture and guided meditation in managing sickle cell disease pain, aiming to reduce opioid use. The study, funded at $7.1M, will explore non-pharmacological pain management interventions for approximately 360 patients.
Patients who use cannabis before surgery require more anesthesia, report higher pain levels, and consume more opioids while in the hospital. Researchers emphasize the importance of disclosing cannabis use to anesthesiologists for optimal care.
Researchers created machine learning models to predict patients' post-surgical pain and opioid needs. The models accurately identified high-risk patients 80% of the time, suggesting more effective pain management strategies with non-opioid alternatives.
A recent analysis of national data shows a significant decline in US prescription opioid abuse over the past decade. Prescription opioid abuse decreased by 26% between 2007 and 2018, with the rate dropping from 4.9% to 3.7%. This trend suggests that efforts to reduce opioid misuse are paying off.
Research shows that evidence-based guidelines have successfully reduced opioid prescriptions, but a small group of surgical patients may still need more pain control. The study suggests that these patients require a combination of opioids with non-opioid pain relievers to achieve optimal pain management.
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.
A mobile health program has proven effective in bringing opioid addiction treatment services to marginalized individuals, particularly the homeless. The Community Care in Reach program uses a non-traditional combination of clinical care and harm reduction services, resulting in improved access to evidence-based services.
A study published by VCU researchers found a significant increase in nonfatal opioid overdose visits to the Richmond emergency department during March-June 2020, with a 123% rise from 2019 data. The surge occurred despite a lower-than-average number of overall visits during this period.
The University of Montana has received a five-year, $33.4 million award from the National Institutes of Health to develop and conduct clinical trials for opioid vaccines. The UM vaccine research team will advance lead opioid vaccine candidates to Phase I human clinical trials with funding from the NIH HEAL Initiative.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine are testing the use of tezampanel, a novel antagonist at glutamate receptors, to treat opioid withdrawal syndrome and other addictions. The project aims to develop breakthrough medications more rapidly than traditional mechanisms, with potential approval from NIDA and FDA.
Future healthcare professionals lack training to address opioid use disorder and pain; a new 14-week course aims to bridge this gap. The course, 'Opioids: From Receptors to Epidemic,' provides a clinical understanding of pain and substance use disorders, as well as knowledge about public health and opioid policy interventions.
A new study found that 1 in 10 older adult dental patients were inappropriately prescribed opioid medication combinations, often with psychiatric medications. These combinations increased the risk of hospitalizations and emergency room visits by 23%.
Researchers developed a virtual reality training program to educate the public on administering naloxone, reversing opioid overdoses. The 9-minute VR training was found to be just as effective as an in-person training in increasing knowledge and confidence among participants.
A UBCO study examined pain tolerance among frequent cannabis users and found no association with increased sensitivity to pain. The research suggests that cannabis may be a safer alternative to opioids for managing chronic pain, offering hope for patients seeking relief.
A study analyzing opioid prescriptions after outpatient knee surgeries found significant variation in prescription strength and number of tablets across the US. States like Oklahoma prescribed more opioids than necessary, while others like Vermont had lower rates.
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.
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 found that opioid use during pregnancy can negatively affect the placenta's structure, reducing cells that produce essential by-products for normal brain development. The study also identified specific genetic expression differences between female and male placentas in response to maternal oxycodone exposure.
Andrew Subica, a UC Riverside researcher, has been awarded two NIH grants to develop culturally tailored interventions for Pacific Islanders' mental health treatment and engagement in opioid use disorder treatment. The studies aim to address the significant research gap on opioid use disorders in Pacific Islander populations.
A new study found that opioid prescription rates for outpatient knee surgery vary greatly across the US, with some states prescribing up to 85% of patients opioids. The average strength of prescriptions is also high, often exceeding the CDC's threshold for increased risk of overdose death.
Two new evidence reviews from McMaster University suggest that alternative treatments are as effective as opioids in managing acute musculoskeletal injuries like strains and sprains. The studies found that opioids have a higher risk of harms to patients, particularly those with past or current substance use disorders.
A pilot study found that long-term opioid users develop chronic inflammation and heightened pain sensitivity, which could be influenced by their immune system producing antibodies against the drugs. The researchers are now working on isolating key opioid antigenic intermediates in the body that prompt antibody production.
The American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend treating acute pain from non-low back musculoskeletal injuries with topical NSAIDs, with or without menthol gel, as the first line of treatment. Topical NSAIDs were shown to be effective for pain reduction, physical function, treatment satisfacti...
Adult cancer survivors are more likely to misuse prescription opioids compared to those without cancer. The study found a significant association between cancer diagnosis and increased opioid misuse.
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.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered that patients taking opioid painkillers produce anti-opioid antibodies, which may limit the benefit of an anti-opioid vaccine. The study found a correlation between recent opioid dose exposure and antibody production.
A new AI algorithm can identify environmental and psychological factors that contribute to substance abuse among homeless youth, allowing for personalized rehabilitation programs. The model, developed by Penn State researchers, found adverse childhood experiences and PTSD to be strong predictors of substance use disorder.
A new study reveals that women often receive excessive opioid prescriptions after childbirth, leading to a higher risk of addiction and misuse within communities. The research emphasizes the need for revised prescribing practices to prioritize patient health and safety.
Research from Oregon State University shows that hospital patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities often receive high-dose opioid prescriptions, posing significant risk to older patients. The study found that 70% of patients received an opioid prescription, with 68% being for oxycodone, a potent medication.
The Studies To Advance Recovery Support (STARS) Network will focus on Central Appalachia's urgent need for recovery support services. Researchers aim to advance understanding of treatment services, particularly those using medication-assisted treatment and counseling.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that young adults and adolescents prescribed opioids for the first time are at a slightly greater risk of developing a substance-related problem, but not as high as previously thought. The risk was found to be around 1-2% higher than those who were not prescribed an opioid.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that a substantial number of overdose deaths were misclassified as sudden cardiac deaths, leading to grossly underestimated national estimates of the opioid overdose burden. Meanwhile, another study provides real-world recommendations for overcoming telemedicine challenges with...
The study found that patients following the ERAS protocol had significantly lower rates of opioid use at one, three, and six months after surgery compared to those receiving standard care. Additionally, the ERAS group experienced shorter hospital stays, fewer postoperative complications, and improved patient outcomes.
A new study finds that providers participating in an intervention with education and resources are more likely to adhere to national chronic opioid therapy guidelines compared to those who do not take part. The intervention includes access to a nurse care manager, addiction specialists, and monitoring of prescription usage.
Researchers found a significant decrease in opioid prescribing rates and improved pain control following hip and knee replacement surgeries in the US between 2014 and 2017.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have demonstrated that behavior therapy exposing people to memories of their trauma does not cause relapses of opioid or other drug use. Following the first therapy session, PTSD severity and emotional problems decrease significantly.
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.
Researchers found that state-level opioid-reduction policies led to a decrease in opioid poisonings among children and teens. The study suggests that targeted policy interventions can help mitigate the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on young people.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that older adults taking opioids are at a higher risk of crashing, with a 5.4% increase in reported crashes compared to non-users. However, they also tend to self-regulate their driving habits and report lower self-rated driving ability.
A pilot program trained Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to prescribe Medication for Opioid Use Disorders, increasing availability of services by 10-fold in two rural counties. The project led to the expansion of Medication-Assisted Treatment into 17 counties, addressing a critical need in Colorado's opioid crisis.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that hospital visits, release from prison, and patterns of medication use can predict both fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses. The researchers used linked databases to analyze over 2.29 million records and identified groups at highest risk.
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 new study has found that tanezumab provides relief in patients with chronic low back pain, one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. The therapy, which inhibits nerve activity, shows promise as a non-opioid treatment option for chronic pain.
A large national database found that nearly 40% of patients who didn't use opioids before undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or heart valve procedures developed persistent opioid use afterwards. The study suggests that cardiac surgery may be a contributing factor to the development of opioid dependence in some individuals
A new study found that nearly 10% of patients prescribed opioid medications following heart surgery will continue to use them more than 90 days after the procedure. The study also revealed a direct link between the dosage of opioids first prescribed and the likelihood of persistent opioid use.
Researchers found that 45% of patients had low levels of pain effectively managed by a non-opioid regimen, with no reported side effects. Patients who required opioids were more likely to have anxiety/depression and higher pain scores, highlighting the potential for reduced opioid use in surgical settings.
A new study found that depressive and anxious symptoms are linked to reduced opioid receptors in the brain, which can be an important mechanism in treating depression. The study, conducted with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans, suggests that drugs affecting the opioid system may help treat depression.
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.
A new study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers found that opioid prescriptions after childbirth are associated with a higher risk of overdose and persistent use. Over 160,000 pregnant women were followed for their opioid prescription filling rates after delivery.
A team of UTHSC researchers will study genetic differences in stress response, oxycodone consumption and stress-induced drug seeking in rats. The findings have great potential to translate to human conditions of opioid addiction.
A growing number of patients in Europe are taking opioids for pain related to rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, with risks of addiction and dependency identified. Experts warn that measures must be taken to use these analgesics more safely.
The study found that prescriptions for buprenorphine treatment increased significantly among adults, particularly those prescribed by primary care providers. However, access to treatment decreased among young adults and teens, primarily due to a decline in prescriptions from psychiatrists and addiction medicine specialists.
Research reveals that age, sex and smoking impact μ-opioid receptor density in brain. Dysfunctions of the brain's opioid system are linked to disorders like addiction and chronic pain.
A health system implemented a three-pronged public health strategy to address the opioid epidemic, reducing opioid use by 19% and shortening duration of use. The strategy included primary prevention, safe prescribing guidelines, and access to treatment for Opioid Use Disorder.
A study found that taking short-acting benzodiazepines and opioids together increases the risk of premature death in patients with kidney failure. The analysis of over 69,000 US adults with kidney disease who initiated hemodialysis revealed a 1.9-fold higher risk of dying among those taking both medications.
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.