Articles tagged with Opioids
A new Series in The Lancet highlights the extent to which low back pain is mistreated, with patients often receiving education and advice instead of evidence-based treatments. Key findings include high rates of opioid prescription and limited exercise prescriptions, even in countries with high-income counterparts.
Patients taking chronic opioids before spinal fusion are at increased risk of complications, including wound complications, emergency visits, and repeat spinal fusion surgery. Long-term opioid use also associated with higher odds of constipation and increased healthcare costs.
A growing burden of uncontrolled pain in low- and middle-income countries is highlighted, with only 6.7% of medical opioids available to these regions. Experts outline strategies for improving access to pain treatment, including education in multidisciplinary pain medicine and balancing regulation of opioids.
A study found that adolescents with mental health conditions and treatments were more likely to transition from initial opioid prescriptions to long-term opioid therapy. The study analyzed data from over 1.2 million adolescents aged 14-18 with first-time opioid prescriptions between 2003 and 2014.
A mandatory educational session on opioid abuse and new prescribing guidelines led to a significant decrease in opioids prescribed after hand surgery. The study found a 45% reduction in opioids prescribed, suggesting that similar standardized education and guidelines could reduce over-prescription nationwide.
A randomized clinical trial found that opioid medications did not improve pain-related function over 12 months compared to nonopioid medications. Nonopioid medications resulted in less intense pain and fewer medication-related symptoms.
Two studies showed that pre-operative counseling and non-opioid pain relievers can significantly reduce post-surgery opioid use, resulting in a two-thirds decrease in opioid consumption. Patients who used non-opioids experienced an equivalent pain experience with fewer adverse events compared to those using opioids.
Researchers developed a statistical model to predict hospitalized patients at risk of progressing to chronic opioid therapy. The model correctly identified high-risk patients in 79% of cases and was found to be highly associated with variables such as substance use disorder, benzodiazepine receipt, and surgical procedures during hospit...
Using multiple methods to manage pain during and after joint replacement surgery was associated with a decrease in opioid use, opioid prescriptions, and common complications. Multimodal therapy reduced opioid prescriptions by up to 18.5%, respiratory complications by 19% and gastrointestinal complications by 26%.
A review in Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics outlines the severity of opioid use among children and teenagers undergoing surgery, with nearly one-fourth of US high school seniors having exposure to prescription opioids. Strategies for reducing opioid prescribing include education, standardized practices, and legislation to shift presc...
Recent studies on medical marijuana laws find no significant link to increased adolescent recreational use, contradicting previous claims. The evidence also suggests that legalizing medical marijuana does not necessarily reduce opioid overdose deaths, as other factors contribute more significantly to the decline in deaths.
Researchers found that gabapentin is being mixed with other substances to produce euphoria, and some users are turning to it after crackdowns made it difficult to obtain opioid prescriptions. The medication's low cost and increasing popularity have contributed to its misuse, highlighting the need for further study on its abuse potential.
Researchers found medical cannabis significantly relieves pain and improves quality of life for seniors with minimal side effects. The study surveyed 2,736 patients aged 65+ who received medical cannabis through Israel's largest supplier, Tikun Olam.
Researchers found a significant association between opioid use and the risk of laboratory-confirmed invasive pneumococcal diseases. High-dose opioids, especially those classified as high potency and long-acting formulations, were most strongly associated with invasive pneumococcal diseases in humans.
An imaging study found altered signaling in the brain and spinal cord after short-term infusion of remifentanil, leading to increased sensitivity to heat pain stimuli. The results indicate that opioid application can alter pain processing in the central nervous system.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that opioid users have a 1.62 times higher risk of invasive pneumococcal diseases, which can cause meningitis and other severe infections. The study suggests that high-dose opioids, particularly those with long-acting properties, carry the greatest infection risk.
A study found that few dermatologists prescribe opioids, but those who do concentrate in Southern states and surgical practices. Higher rates of opioid prescribing were also observed among dermatologists in these areas.
A Saint Louis University study found that treating depression can increase the likelihood of successful opioid cessation in non-cancer pain patients. Patients who adhered to antidepressant medications were more likely to stop opioids and experience a rapid decline in depression symptoms.
A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that long-term opioid prescribing among US military veterans decreased by 30% between 2010 and 2016. The decline was largely due to a reduction in long-term opioid use, rather than a decrease in short-term use.
The Ohio Opioid Technology Challenge has awarded $10,000 prizes to five innovative concepts addressing drug abuse and addiction. The top ideas include digital therapies, augmented reality coaching systems, and virtual reality prevention tools.
Experts from obstetric care and addiction medicine meet to discuss the current evidence on substance use disorders (SUD) in pregnancy. They aim to review existing barriers to accessing treatment for SUD in pregnant women and provide clinical guidance for obstetric care providers.
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs reduce hospital stays and opioid use for colorectal and bariatric surgery patients. The ERAS program includes preoperative education, carb loading, and pain management strategies to improve patient outcomes and lower costs.
A recent study found that reducing daily cigarette use led to a significant decrease in opioid dependence, with an 18.8% reduction reported among participants in the PROMPT project.
A study by Penn State researchers found correlations between natural disasters, declining farm income, and opioid overdoses in rural America. Opioid-related deaths are increasing in rural counties, with a 10% rise for every $10,000 reduction in net farm income.
The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention at CU Anschutz Medical Campus receives a $1.5 million grant from the Colorado Health Foundation to advance its mission to reduce misuse and abuse of prescription drugs in Colorado.
A new study published in The BMJ suggests that the duration of opioid treatment is a more potent predictor of abuse and overdose than dosage among patients with no history of recent or chronic opioid use. Longer treatment spells increase the risk of dependence, abuse, or overdose by up to 20% each additional week.
A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that implementing a default option for lower opioid tablet quantities in electronic medical records increased compliance with prescribing guidelines, resulting in fewer prescriptions written for larger quantities.
A large observational study found that the duration of opioid treatment is more strongly associated with misuse than the dose. The researchers suggest that giving moderate to higher doses for shorter durations may be a more effective way to manage pain while minimizing the risk of addiction.
A new study finds that surgery patients taking opioids for extended periods are at higher risk of abuse and overdose, while the duration of treatment is a more potent predictor than dosage. Researchers analyzed over half a million records to quantify opioid misuse following surgery.
A new study by USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics found that doctors' offices are the main source of prescription opioids, accounting for 83% of prescriptions in 2012. This contrasts with emergency departments, which accounted for only 4.4% of opioid prescriptions during the same period.
A commentary argues that Canada should develop a regulated program to distribute pharmaceutical-grade opioids to people at highest risk of overdose. This approach aims to provide safer alternatives to illegal sources of pain relief, reducing the protracted epidemic of overdose deaths.
Patients with musculoskeletal conditions who receive prescription opioids are more satisfied with their care than those without. However, they often experience increased pain and reduced health outcomes, highlighting the need for further investigation into the complex relationship between opioid use and patient satisfaction.
A multidisciplinary team implemented a behavioral health-focused model for medication-assisted treatment, resulting in streamlined care and increased patient support. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize primary care treatment of Opioid use disorder.
A study by University of South Florida researchers found a significant link between opioid prescriptions and child removal from homes due to parental neglect. The analysis revealed a 129% increase in such removals since 2012, with an estimated annual state fiscal cost of $40 million.
Patients who receive prescription opioids have higher satisfaction rates than those without, but paradoxically experience more pain. Non-patient medical requests from family and friends require a nuanced response. Diabetes care emphasizes communication, coordination, and biopsychosocial approaches to engage patients.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have created a new drug-like compound that activates only the kappa opioid receptor, a key step in developing better pain medications. This breakthrough could lead to safer and more effective opioids with reduced side effects.
A recent study found that opioid prescribing for disabled adults is higher outside of large central metro counties, even after accounting for local economic factors. County-level factors such as household income, unemployment rate, and income inequality also play a significant role in determining opioid prescribing rates.
A recent study found that patients who received gabapentin before and after surgery were more likely to stop using opioids. The nonopioid pain medication may promote opioid cessation and prevent chronic opioid use.
A novel genetic study aims to identify unique genetic signatures of patients at risk for opioid addiction, enabling tailored treatment approaches. The research will also inform the development of an 'addiction risk score' to guide clinicians in prescription decisions.
Living in a household with a prescription opioid user may increase the risk of prescription opioid use by other household members. According to a study published in JAMA Network, the one-year risk of prescription opioid use was an absolute 0.71 percent higher among people in households where another person had an opioid prescription.
A new guideline based on patient data and education has been shown to effectively reduce opioid prescribing in surgery patients by up to 66%, while maintaining similar levels of pain control. The study's findings have the potential to significantly impact the national opioid crisis, with estimates suggesting over 13,000 excess pills ha...
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that medications like opioids and antidepressants for chronic pain management increase the risk of obesity and poor sleep. The research found that these medications double the risk of obesity and are associated with poor sleep, highlighting the need to reduce their use.
A new clinical trial aims to test a novel treatment protocol that combines medication with follow-up support to prevent opioid relapse after recovery from an overdose. The trial, led by F. Gerard Moeller and Warren Bickel, involves patients receiving the investigational treatment in emergency rooms followed by outpatient care.
A new study from Washington State University found that frequent marijuana use can strengthen the relationship between pain and depression and anxiety in patients with opioid addiction. This suggests that marijuana may not be an effective treatment for managing these symptoms.
A new guideline for discharge opioid prescriptions after inpatient general surgical procedures could significantly reduce opioid prescriptions. The guideline, developed by researchers at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, recommends prescribing a certain number of opioids based on the patient's usage the day before discharge.
A California survey found that physicians and pharmacists significantly increased their use of the state's prescription drug monitoring program, CURES, following a law mandate update and registration requirement. The study suggests that education and outreach efforts can drive greater compliance with the law.
A study of over 13,000 opioid overdose deaths found that individuals with chronic pain conditions were at the highest risk of death. The study also reveals that many who died had been diagnosed with depression and anxiety, highlighting the importance of early intervention for those at high risk of fatal overdose.
A multi-disciplinary team of researchers is exploring natural compounds from marine organisms to develop non-opioid drugs for chronic pain management. The team aims to identify novel drugs with the beneficial effects of opioids but lack the adverse actions, such as addiction and respiratory depression.
Naloxone administered in the field by EMS personnel is safe and effective for reversing opioid overdose symptoms, according to a systematic evidence review. Research is needed to determine the optimal dose and route of administration.
Acupuncture has strongest evidence for effectiveness in reducing chronic pain, while yoga and other therapies also show positive preliminary evidence. These integrative medicine approaches can help improve pain and reduce opioid use, according to a review of current evidence.
A pilot study of 15 individuals using oxycodone digital pills found that patients self-administered opioids for only a brief period and took a fraction of the prescribed dose. The technology may enable physicians to monitor adherence and identify escalating opioid use patterns, potentially reducing the risk of addiction.
A new study reveals that codeine was still being prescribed to one in 20 children undergoing tonsil and adenoid surgery two years after the FDA issued a warning about its risks. The research suggests safer alternatives like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be effective for managing post-surgical pain.
A new study found that 1 in 20 children received codeine after tonsil and adenoid removal surgeries, despite the FDA warning on significant safety risks. The researchers recommend increasing efforts to eliminate inappropriate prescribing and encouraging non-opioid medications.
A recent study published in Addiction has found that a concentrated 2mg intranasal naloxone spray delivers naloxone as effectively as the standard 0.4mg intramuscular injection over the critical first 15 minutes. The nasal spray maintains blood levels of naloxone more than twice as high as the IM levels for two hours after administration.
Researchers separate pain relief and breathing effects in opioids, revealing a 'biased signaling' mechanism with a 'therapeutic window' of safer alternatives. This finding could lead to new opioid medications without the risk of respiratory failure.
A study published in Anesthesiology found that most women do not require opioids to manage pain after hospital discharge. Researchers observed a significant reduction in opioid use for both vaginal and cesarean deliveries, with most pain resolving within 14 days.
A study of 62 rhinoplasty patients found that they used an average of nine hydrocodone-acetaminophen tablets, with 46 patients using 15 or fewer tablets. The most common adverse effects were drowsiness, nausea, and constipation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for chronic pain that can reduce reliance on opioids and improve quality of life. By teaching patients coping strategies, CBT helps them manage their pain and behaviors associated with it.
A study found that patients with spine osteoarthritis and those under 65 are more likely to use opioids for pain management. The study also showed a significant association between opioid use and greater depressive symptoms, as well as higher levels of pain.
A new $9 million study will compare two approaches to relieving noncancer chronic pain and reducing opioid use. The study will assess which approach leads to lower or discontinued opioid use and greater pain relief among people who have been using opioids over the long term.