Articles tagged with Opioids
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that nearly 12% of patients with acute ankle sprain injuries filled an opioid prescription within seven days of diagnosis. Additionally, 8.4% of individuals who had not previously taken opioids were prescribed them three months after the original diagnosis.
Researchers found that patients treated with ibuprofen and Percocet used less opioids than those prescribed just Percocet after arthroscopic shoulder instability repair. This study suggests a possible reduction in post-operative narcotics distribution, addressing the public health crisis of opioid abuse.
Family physicians with five or fewer years' experience emphasize the need for trusting relationships and effective pain management support. Physicians with longstanding practices describe stronger therapeutic relationships that reduce strict enforcement measures.
A UK study found that type 2 diabetes patients experiencing empathy from their primary care practitioners had a lower risk of all-cause mortality over the next 10 years. Additionally, metformin use was associated with a significantly lower risk of dementia in African American patients with type 2 diabetes.
A team-based clinic redesign of opioid medication management in primary care resulted in declines in patients on high-dose opioids and total opioid prescriptions. The 'Six Building Blocks' framework improved opioid prescribing practices, possibly reducing dependency.
Researchers found that every fourth osteoarthritis patient was prescribed opioids, with codeine and tramadol being the most commonly used. Despite not being recommended as a first-line treatment, opioids were still given to nearly a quarter of patients, highlighting a significant challenge in addressing osteoarthritis pain management.
Most large health systems have active stewardship programs to prevent opioid misuse, with pharmacists playing a key role in detection and strategy development. Pharmacists also play a major role in drug therapy monitoring and patient education.
A study of 456 acute gout patients found that over 28% received opioid prescriptions, with many lasting longer than the typical gout attack. Diabetes and prior opioid use increased the likelihood of receiving opioids.
A study published in Hospital Pediatrics found that concurrent benzodiazepine exposure impacts the severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) more so than other substances. Infants exposed to both opioids and benzodiazepines were over 50% likelier to require medication treatment.
A peer-reviewed survey of 1,000 people in Colorado found that 80% of cannabis users for pain relief also stopped using prescription painkillers. Additionally, 84% of those using cannabis to aid sleep reported a reduction or stoppage of over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids.
An observational study found that in utero exposure to opioids was associated with a higher likelihood of being small for gestational age, preterm birth, and postnatal neurodevelopmental and physical disorders. Long-term effects included conduct disorder, emotional disturbance diagnoses, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
The study found that naloxone dispensing significantly increased in states with legal mandates for coprescription, up to a 7.75-fold increase compared to states without such mandates. Naloxone prescriptions per 100,000 patients ranged from 6 to 111, depending on the state.
A survey of orthopaedic providers found that they frequently recommend prescribing a nine-day supply of oxycodone after surgery, exceeding current guidelines. Despite knowledge gaps, the study highlights the need for evidence-based guidelines to curb overprescribing and patient harm.
A study found that patients who received more opioid tablets after knee surgery consumed more tablets for longer periods, while those with preoperative education used fewer tablets for shorter durations. Reducing opioid use can lead to better patient outcomes.
Research found a significant association between family members having opioid prescriptions and increased risk of overdose among individuals without opioid prescriptions, applicable to all age groups. The study also showed that greater quantities of prescribed opioids are linked to higher overdose risks.
A retrospective cohort study found that patients who received opioids for the first time while hospitalized had double the risk of continuing to receive opioids for months after discharge. Researchers reviewed electronic health records of 191,249 hospital admissions and found that almost 6% of patients receiving opioids during their ho...
A new study by Brown University researchers found a 25% increase in fatal opioid overdoses after cold weather snaps compared to days with average temperatures of 52 degrees. The study suggests that agencies should consider scaling up harm-reduction efforts during periods of cold weather.
Researchers found that gut microbiota influences morphine tolerance, with tolerant mice lacking Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillaeae. Probiotics restored these depleted communities, reducing morphine tolerance in mice pretreated with probiotics.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine has shed light on the practices surrounding inpatient opioid prescribing, revealing that patients who receive opioids during hospitalization are more likely to continue using them after discharge. The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate Schoo...
Researchers found that states with strict cannabis laws had lower opioid prescription rates in people aged 18 to 54. Opioid prescriptions increased with age, but this trend was reversed in states with stricter cannabis laws. The study suggests a potential public health benefit of medical cannabis laws
The Stanford University School of Medicine study found that legalizing medical marijuana does not reduce the rate of fatal opioid overdoses. The researchers concluded that access to medical cannabis may not be a factor in reducing opioid deaths, contrary to earlier findings.
Contrary to earlier research, a study found that medical cannabis laws were associated with a 23% increase in opioid overdose mortality. The reversal of the association occurred despite controlled data analysis and small population usage rates of just 2.5%.
A Pennsylvania study found that 1 in 3 pharmacies carry naloxone nasal spray, but many require a physician's prescription. Chain stores were more likely to have naloxone available without a prescription than independent ones.
A new study finds that many Philadelphia pharmacies fail to implement Pennsylvania's standing order for naloxone nasal spray, putting communities at risk. The study suggests that policies need to be enforced and pharmacies held accountable for implementing them.
Research finds hearts from overdose death donors are as suitable as others, offering a solution to the growing organ shortage. The opioid epidemic has increased the number of organs available for transplant, including lungs and potentially other organs.
A pain management protocol called Enhanced Recovery After Surgery has been shown to be effective in reducing opioid prescriptions after C-sections. The protocol involves a combination of long-acting opioids and non-narcotic medications to limit inpatient morphine use, resulting in shorter hospital stays and improved patient satisfaction.
A clinical trial found that galantamine reduced opioid positive urine samples and prolonged abstinence in participants. The medication's dual mechanism of action may offer new strategies for treating opioid use disorder.
A systematic review found that opioids have a small improvement in sleep quality, but this is not consistent with results from sleep assessment technologies. Patients on opioid therapy are also at risk of excessive daytime sleepiness and increased risks of sleep apnea. The study calls for better research into the effects of painkillers...
A recent study found that regulatory bodies in Australia are not seeking to blame doctors for patient deaths when opioids are administered, alleviating fears of professional ruin. Doctors should prescribe minimum doses to alleviate suffering and respect clinical practice.
A study by the University of Michigan found that over half of patients used no opioids after surgery, with most reporting manageable pain. The study's results suggest a new approach to pain management that reduces opioid use can be effective.
A new study reveals that polysubstance use, where individuals combine opioids with other substances like stimulants, is now the norm in Massachusetts. Social determinants of health, including homelessness and mental illness, are significantly associated with these overdose deaths.
Researchers found US dentists prescribe 37 times more opioids than UK counterparts in 2016, a peak year in the US opioid crisis. The study emphasizes the importance of adopting national guidelines for treating dental pain and promoting judicious opioid prescribing among US dentists.
Researchers found that short-term opioid use intensifies feelings of pleasure while weakening negative emotions, shifting emotional responses towards the positive side. This effect is distinct from prolonged opioid use, which alters brain reward systems and diminishes sensitivity.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that opioid use by a parent is associated with a doubling of the risk of suicide attempts by their children. The researchers analyzed data from over 240,000 parents and found that children whose parents used opioids were more likely to attempt suicide.
A study found that parental use of prescription opioids was associated with a higher risk of suicide attempts by children. The observational study, which included over 184,000 children, also controlled for other factors such as age and mental health diagnoses.
A specialized pain management program for robotic urologic surgery patients resulted in a significant reduction in opioid prescriptions. The study found that just 8% of patients were prescribed opioids after discharge, with those who received them going home with fewer pills than usual.
Researchers developed a non-addictive painkiller that accelerates recovery time and prevents relapse to chronic pain. The new opioid, ZH853, outperforms morphine in treating pain while diminishing inflammation and reducing recovery time.
Research at ATS 2019 found no difference in opioid prescriptions between ICU patients with and without opioid care. One year after discharge, ICU patients given opioids did not appear to be at higher risk of receiving opioid prescriptions.
Researchers at the University of Virginia have identified a possible new drug target for reducing chronic pain and inflammation. A naturally occurring enzyme called diacylglycerol lipase-beta (DAGL?) has been found to produce chemical signals that control inflammation, making it a viable target for non-addictive pain relief.
Researchers found that opioid-exposed babies react more strongly to pain and have higher skin conductance, suggesting they may need early intervention. The study suggests that these babies handle pain worse than their non-exposed counterparts, highlighting the need for better care.
An estimated 623,000 US parents with opioid use disorder are living with children under 18, with fewer than one-third receiving treatment. Additionally, four million parents have other substance use disorders with low treatment rates.
A recent study reveals that buprenorphine prescribers in nonmetropolitan areas predominantly come from primary care backgrounds. These physicians tend to have more flexible practice settings and accept Medicaid, differing from specialists who dominate large metropolitan areas.
Northeast Ohio Medical University has received a $500,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to collaborate with other Ohio medical schools on developing a comprehensive curriculum for pain management and opioid use disorder treatment. The project aims to improve systems of prevention and treatment f...
The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy is part of a NYC consortium aiming to reduce opioid overdose mortality by 40% in 16 communities. The project focuses on whole-community approaches, including enhancing community engagement and increasing access to prevention and treatment.
A new study found that chronic opioid prescribing in primary care is associated with patient demographics, comorbidities, and clinician perspectives on pain management. Patients with higher comorbidities were more likely to receive chronic opioid prescriptions and at higher doses.
A study found that 623,000 US parents with opioid use disorder live with children under 18, with few receiving treatment. Meanwhile, healthcare accounts for between 5-15% of premature death variation, with behavioral factors driving more mortality variation.
A Mayo Clinic study of 444,764 patients found that tramadol was more likely than other opioids to result in prolonged use, challenging its classification as a lower-risk medication. The researchers used de-identified data from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse to examine prescription fills after surgery.
Long-term opiate therapy rates persistently high for at least five years in cancer survivors, increasing over time. Cancer survivors diagnosed later had higher opioid prescribing rates than those diagnosed earlier.
A review panel led by Regenstrief Institute Research Scientist Kurt Kroenke found that clinicians, policymakers, and payers are misapplying CDC opioid guidelines, negatively affecting patients. The panel identified challenges with implementing the guidelines, including overly restrictive prescribing policies and burdens on clinicians.
A new study found that 1 in 167 opioid prescriptions were filled by patients whose family members had a history of 'doctor and pharmacy shopping', increasing the risk of misuse and overdose. The research highlights the importance of helping patients store and dispose of opioids safely to prevent family member misuse.
Researchers at SLU discovered a molecular pathway required for neuropathic pain and found blocking this signal can limit or stop pain. A new class of non-narcotic pain-killing therapies is being developed.
Researchers found buprenorphine office visits increased from 0.04% to 0.36% of ambulatory visits between 2004-2015, with 13.4 million visits from 2012-2015. Buprenorphine prescriptions were more common among white patients than those of other races/ethnicities.
Researchers found that certain surgeries, such as colorectal and cardiovascular surgeries, increase the likelihood of patients continuing to refill opioid prescriptions. Generalist nurse practitioners and physician assistants may also be overprescribing opioids, suggesting a need for education and better oversight.
A new study from the RAND Corporation found that allowing pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a physician's prescription can sharply reduce fatal opioid-related overdoses. States that adopted laws enabling direct dispensing of naloxone by pharmacists saw a significant decrease in overdose deaths, with an average reduction of 27% d...
A study of private insurance claims found that only 1.5% of high-risk opioid overdose patients received naloxone prescriptions during healthcare encounters. Prior diagnoses of opioid misuse or dependence were associated with higher naloxone prescription rates.
Researchers identified risks associated with popular alternative treatments like kratom, Imodium, and Xanax, which can cause substantial side effects and high abuse rates. The study also found that 'stacks' or kits combining substances are being used to combat withdrawal symptoms.
The University of Houston College of Pharmacy has opened a new center to educate providers and patients on safe controlled substance prescription use, aiming to optimize pharmacotherapy for pain management. The PREMIER Center will also support the safe disposal of unused medications through a $3.34 million grant.
A vaccine combining a fentanyl antigen with tetanus toxoid has been shown to reduce fentanyl choices and increase food choices in rats, with effects lasting several months. The findings suggest the vaccine may decrease dangerous drug-taking behavior and increase healthier behaviors.
Rutgers researchers analyzed 90 retail pharmacies in 10 New Jersey cities and found that naloxone was available in 60-70% of more affluent communities but less than 25% of lower-income areas. The city's population, affluence, and opioid-related hospital visits over five months were correlated with naloxone availability.
The researcher will collect data from 1,500 patients using prescription opioids to identify factors that may increase the risk of opioid-related depression. Long-term opioid analgesic use is associated with increased risk for depression and impairs depression treatment and recovery.