Articles tagged with Opioids
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 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 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 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 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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that increasing levels of the naturally occurring endocannabinoid 2-AG can counteract the rewarding properties of opioids, reducing addiction-like behaviors in mice. The study suggests a potential new therapeutic strategy to alleviate pain while minimizing opioid addiction risk.
A new study led by Thomas Jefferson University researchers highlights critical healthcare gaps that hinder long-term recovery for people living with OUD in Philadelphia. The study identifies challenges such as lengthy and restrictive assessment processes, inadequate operating hours, and lack of sufficient withdrawal management as barri...
A new study published in Academic Emergency Medicine finds that low-dose ketamine is an effective adjunct to morphine for managing acute pain, providing relief to both opioid-tolerant and opioid-naive patients. The study demonstrates significant reductions in pain scores for 30 minutes compared to a placebo.
A study found that prenatal exposure to THC increases dopamine release and rewires the fetal brain, leading to a higher risk of opioid addiction later in life. The research suggests that THC exposure during pregnancy may contribute to neurobiological vulnerabilities, making individuals more susceptible to addiction-like behavior.
The 2024 Guidelines for First Aid provide critical updates on recognizing and responding to mild, moderate, and life-threatening emergencies. The guidelines offer enhanced guidance on managing opioid overdoses, bleeding, and other conditions, as well as improved recommendations for emergency care involving children.
A new digital toolkit aims to screen patients for intimate partner violence (IPV) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while providing resources and support for long-lasting recovery. The toolkit prioritizes patient safety and will be beta-tested before being rolled out in a large randomized clinical trial.
A study by the University of Missouri School of Medicine found nearly half of opioid overdose patients tested positive for hepatitis C. The infection can cause chronic liver disease and even liver failure or cancer if left undiagnosed.
A large-scale clinical trial will enroll 644 children across the US to determine if adding acetaminophen or ketorolac to opioid-based pain control reduces pain in critically ill children. The study aims to improve pediatric intensive care worldwide by reducing side effects and increasing long-term patient outcomes.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released its first pediatric guideline on opioid prescribing in primary care, emphasizing the importance of preventing overdose. The guideline recommends discussing naloxone with families and safe disposal of unused opioids to prevent a tragedy.
Research suggests that social support decreases among pregnant and parenting individuals with OUD, but integrating community-based supports like doulas can increase trust and positive outcomes. A peer recovery doula model could provide an authentic bond for new mothers with OUD during the postpartum period.
The Endocrine Society's new statement highlights research gaps on opioids' effects on the endocrine system, which can lead to conditions like male hypogonadism and secondary adrenal insufficiency. Clinicians need to monitor patients using opioids for signs of these health consequences.
Researchers analyzed opioid industry documents and found that 15 key articles were cited to support unsubstantiated claims about prescription opioids' safety and effectiveness. The study highlights the need for regulatory safeguards to protect public health, particularly for potentially addictive pharmaceuticals.
Researchers developed an implantable device that detects an overdose, rapidly delivers naloxone to prevent death and alerts emergency responders. The device was tested in animal studies, showing promising results with rapid rescue and full recovery within minutes.
A new study published in the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment found that distributing free naloxone via vending machines in county jails can sharply increase the number of doses provided to inmates at release. This may help reduce overdose deaths, as former prisoners are more vulnerable due to lack of accessible support.
A Scottish study found that treating opioid use disorder significantly lowers the high rate of suicide among people with opioid dependence. The study reported 575 suicides among over 45,000 patients receiving methadone or buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
A large federally funded study found a 37% reduction in overdose deaths from opioids combined with stimulant drugs other than cocaine, primarily fentanyl and methamphetamine. Intervention communities implemented evidence-based practices, including naloxone distribution and education campaigns, which led to lower death rates.
Research suggests that listening to music after surgery can significantly reduce pain levels, anxiety, and heart rate, with patients experiencing a lower need for opioid medication. Music's calming effect may also contribute to faster recovery by easing the transition from waking up after surgery.
A new study found that people with opioid or alcohol use disorder who take Ozempic or similar medications have a lower rate of opioid overdose and alcohol intoxication. The medication, which treats diabetes and weight-related conditions, may also alter the brain's reward-response pathways associated with substance use.