Articles tagged with Opioids
Access to buprenorphine and naltrexone for opioid use disorder is affected by race and ethnicity, as well as insurance type. Targeted interventions, including culturally tailored care and expanded access points, are needed to address disparities and reduce inequities contributing to the overdose crisis.
Most opioid treatment programs still do not offer all three forms of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as of 2023. Government-operated programs and those accepting Medicare are more likely to provide comprehensive MAT offerings.
A new study found that new psychoactive substances (NPS) are a significant concern in roadway crashes in California. NPS, also known as ‘designer drugs’, were detected in the blood of 17 patients, with most frequent being designer benzodiazepines and fentanyl analogs.
Researchers developed a pen-like tool that can quickly collect molecules from the skin's surface to screen for opioids with mass spectrometry. The 'MasSpec Pen' delivers a droplet of liquid, extracts molecules, and analyzes them using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
A new online toolkit developed by the University of Ottawa and Health Canada aims to educate healthcare providers on managing opioid-related issues. The toolkit's co-creation model involves patient input, leading to a deeper understanding of chronic pain and opioid use, and a more compassionate approach to care.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine aim to reduce falls and adverse drug events among older adults by using personalized approach tailored to individual genetic profiles.
A Penn study shows providing surgeons with tailored data improves prescribing and maintains patient pain control without increasing opioid use. The approach reduced overprescribing by 40% and improved guideline adherence.
A recent study found that regional disparities in opioid overdose mortality continue, with the western US experiencing an increase in overdoses despite a national decline. The research highlights the need for region-specific strategies to address differing patterns of substance use and overdose risk.
Researchers found that urban areas and male middle-aged patients are more likely to receive high-dose opioid prescriptions. The study analyzed over 3 million Medicaid claims in Missouri from 2017 to 2021, identifying risk factors for opioid use disorder.
A recent study found that 11% of Americans used illicit opioids within the past 12 months, with fentanyl use rates significantly higher than previously reported. The survey also revealed intentional and unintentional use patterns, emphasizing the need for more accurate tracking methods to address the nation's opioid crisis.
A national survey found that 11.0% of adults reported using illicit opioids within the past year, with even higher rates of fentanyl use, indicating a pressing need for improved data collection efforts to inform policy and intervention strategies.
A new study published in JAMA finds that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can help individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) regain control over their emotions and cravings. The therapy has been shown to decrease opioid cravings by 50% and improve mood, making it a promising tool in the fight against OUD.
A cohort study of pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder found that buprenorphine treatment was associated with improved maternal and infant outcomes. The study highlights the need to improve access to treatment nationwide for these patients.
A new study from Thomas Jefferson University investigates the use of ondansetron to ease withdrawal symptoms in newborns with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Researchers found that a specific concentration of ondansetron can significantly reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Researchers at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center have received a $1.94 million grant to study inhibitors that target peripheral neuropathic pain. The project aims to develop novel non-opioid and non-addicting therapies capable of effectively managing chronic pain.
A new study led by the University of South Florida reveals a correlation between opioid misuse and domestic violence, with opioid control programs contributing to a 10% reduction in simple assaults. The effect was strongest in states with higher opioid prescription rates.
A new study found that listening to favorite music activates the brain's opioid receptors, explaining why it evokes strong feelings of pleasure. The release of opioids is also linked to individual differences in music enjoyment and may help develop new music-based interventions for pain management and mental health disorders.
Eight hospitals, including Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, receive funding to refine discharge processes for mothers and babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome. The program aims to provide continuity of care through prenatally-based education and post-discharge support.
A study found that New York's opioid restriction law led to decreased opioid quantities after total joint replacement surgeries. The findings suggest refining laws may further reduce opioid prescribing nationwide.
A team of scientists at the University of Florida has developed a new drug compound that selectively targets delta opioid receptors, providing pain relief without the dangerous side effects associated with opioids. The study's findings offer a promising approach to developing safer pain treatments, which could also be applied to treati...
A new study by RAND Corporation found that a specialized hospital service can significantly increase patients with opioid use disorder to start FDA-approved medication treatment. The trial showed that patients receiving the service were twice as likely to begin treatment and 72% more likely to link to post-discharge care.
A new randomized clinical trial found that mindfulness-based therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy improved physical function, quality of life, and reduced pain among adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain. The benefits persisted for up to 12 months.
Researchers discovered a mechanism that harnesses immune cells to produce opioids, potentially alleviating chronic pain. Estrogen and progesterone drive this process, which could lead to more effective treatments for women experiencing pain after menopause.
Researchers found that placing naloxone kits in transit stations could improve availability and save more lives. By optimizing distribution strategies using mathematical models, the team discovered that just 60 kits at 650 locations could cover over half of opioid poisonings in Vancouver.
Restricting telehealth prescriptions for opioid use disorder could keep thousands from accessing buprenorphine, a medication that helps people recover from addiction. Researchers found that requiring in-person visits may undo the progress made during the COVID-19 pandemic when telehealth increased access to this life-saving treatment.
Researchers found that placing naloxone kits at public transit locations using an optimization strategy and ensuring blanket placement at take-home naloxone program locations effectively covered a major proportion of opioid poisonings in Vancouver. The study suggests that easy accessibility of kits is crucial to prevent deaths from opi...
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health refutes claims that Medicaid expansion increases misuse of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines. Despite initial concerns, the study found no association between Medicaid expansion and non-prescribed opioid use among people who inject drugs.
A new rat study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine suggests that biological differences in males and females may contribute to the gender disparity in opioid misuse. Female rats with chronic pain showed no increase in opioid intake, whereas male rats increased their fentanyl consumption over time.
Fentanyl poisoning among US children has surged by 924% and 1,506% for teens aged 13-19 over the past eight years. Parents are advised to be vigilant about hidden fentanyl risks and know the signs of overdose symptoms to save their children.
Researchers are conducting a clinical trial to find the optimal combination of pain management tools for patients undergoing mastectomy procedures. The study will enroll approximately 100 patients and examine various combinations of pectoralis nerve blocks, non-opioid analgesics, and administration methods.
Researchers developed a custom-designed compound that mimics natural cannabis molecules to alleviate chronic pain without psychoactive side effects. The modified synthetic cannabinoid compound showed promise as a nonaddictive pain reliever, offering prolonged relief and minimizing tolerance.
A new study provides the first nationwide picture of who knows about, carries, and uses naloxone to reverse deadly opioid overdoses. The survey found that people's perception of overdose risk correlates with their decision to carry naloxone, and those with high-risk profiles are more likely to carry the drug.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that a proposed US Drug Enforcement Administration rule could prohibit more than 4,500 tele-buprenorphine initiations for patients with opioid use disorder. The rule requires an in-person visit with the tele-initiating clinician prior to or within 30 days after tele-initiation.
A study analyzing millions of U.S. prescriptions over 10 years found that co-prescribed stimulants and opioids are associated with escalating opioid intake. Patients taking both stimulants and opioids had a higher average monthly intake of morphine milligram equivalents (MME) compared to those taking only opioids.
Experts disagree on how to treat chronic pain, with some believing long-term opioid therapy is beneficial and others that it should be discontinued. The study highlights the need for individualized care decisions that weigh relative harms and benefits.
A new treatment for post-amputation pain may have reduced residual limb pain and opioid dependence, according to a Northwestern Medicine study. Hydrodissection, a simple procedure that injects fluid around nerves, showed significant improvements in pain relief and mental health benefits.
A University of Cincinnati researcher has been awarded a $2.1 million grant to investigate postoperative pain at the molecular and cellular levels. The goal is to develop new, safer non-addictive treatments for chronic pain conditions, including lower back pain and pain associated with diabetes or chemotherapy treatments.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that the 2019 Medicare opioid safety policy reduced initial opioid prescriptions and high-dose prescriptions from multiple prescribers among Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities. However, these reductions diminished over time, highlighting the need for ongoing research to unders...
A study found that patients who received opioid prescriptions in the emergency department were more likely to receive additional opioid prescriptions or require hospital admissions in the following year. Patient characteristics, such as age and health conditions, played a significant role in determining risk.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have found that opioid delta-receptor agonists can alleviate stress-induced IBS symptoms in a validated mouse model by targeting the central nervous system. The study suggests that these drugs could provide a more definitive solution for IBS with minimal adverse effects.
The grant will train undergraduate and graduate nursing students in substance abuse disorders to address the opioid crisis in Georgia. Researchers aim to equip nurses with the skill and empathy needed to help alleviate the effects of the opioid epidemic.
A new study found that adults with newly diagnosed sciatica who received chiropractic spinal manipulation experienced significantly lower rates of opioid-related adverse drug events compared to those receiving usual medical care. The study highlights the potential benefits of non-pharmacological approaches in managing pain.
Researchers found that fewer veterans reported having access to firearms than expected, with only 5% included in discussions. The study also revealed that most veterans with opioid access did not accept overdose-reversing medication, highlighting the need for improved suicide safety planning.
A recent study found that people trying to quit opioids and pain medication experience more relapses compared to others. The research highlights the need for tailored treatment approaches, as some substances require more quit attempts than others.
A support program increased rural primary care clinics' buprenorphine prescribing by fivefold, with clinic completion rates for treatment milestones also showing significant improvements.
A recent study found that infant mortality from sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) has increased significantly in the US, affecting Black infants disproportionately. The analysis suggests possible explanations for this trend, including COVID-19 and maternal opioid use.
Non-white communities had significantly less access to opioid medications, despite declines in prescription use across the US. Communities of color may be especially vulnerable to the unintended consequences of efforts to reduce opioid analgesics.
A new study reveals that opioid smokers die at two-thirds the rate of injectors, likely due to reduced transmission of HIV and hepatitis C. However, smoking opioids carries a substantial overdose risk and should not be misconstrued as safe.
A new study from UC Davis reveals a concerning decline in residents applying to pain medicine fellowship programs, with female physicians dropping 27.5%. This could lead to longer wait times and reduced treatment options for patients suffering from chronic pain.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio and The University of Texas at San Antonio have won the 2025 Hill Prizes for their groundbreaking work on non-opioid painkillers and emergency airway management. The $500,000 prize funding will support the development of novel analgesics and a new design for endotracheal tubes.
A Weill Cornell Medicine study found that 97% of those who received naloxone kits were at high risk of overdose, with significant racial disparities seen among older Black men and Latino/Latina groups. The city's overdose prevention efforts aim to address these disparities through targeted programs.
The study found that less than 3% of pain medications prescribed to NFL athletes were for opioids, with NSAIDs being the preferred first-line treatment. Most players did not receive any opioid prescriptions, indicating a safer approach to pain management in professional football.
A recent study found that a genetic test for opioid use disorder (OUD) had high rates of both false positive and false negative results, questioning its usefulness. The testing could lead to patients receiving opioids despite low risk or being denied effective pain relief due to high risk.
A recent study found that pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder enrolled in Medicaid are at a disproportionately high risk of severe maternal morbidity. Targeted interventions, such as early Medicaid enrollment and coverage continuity, may be necessary to reduce adverse outcomes in this group.
A Rutgers University study found that a combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen controls pain after wisdom tooth removal better than opioids. Patients who received the non-opioid medication experienced less pain, better sleep, and higher satisfaction compared to those receiving hydrocodone with acetaminophen.
Between 2020 and 2023, buprenorphine dispensing to adolescents increased, while prescribing declined among young adults. These changes are attributed to improved outreach, telehealth prescriptions, and elimination of waiver requirements.
A randomized clinical study found that an opioid-free treatment pathway is both safe and effective for bariatric surgery patients. The alternative method, which combines three different medicines, significantly reduces the need for opioids during treatment.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to treating fentanyl overdoses using naloxone methiodide, which blocks peripheral opioid receptors. This therapy reverses fentanyl-induced respiratory depression without causing withdrawal symptoms.
The program aims to decrease opioid use by increasing provider knowledge of integrative therapies and providing sustained outpatient follow-up. University Hospitals will refine evidence-based integrative therapies such as music therapy and acupuncture to address acute pain.
New research from the University of Pittsburgh found that opioids can suppress the immune system and reduce the effectiveness of immunotherapy for head and neck cancer. However, peripherally restricted OPRM1 antagonists (PAMORAs) may block opioid-induced immunosuppression and improve response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.