Articles tagged with Opioids
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A new guideline aims to reduce opioid use for chronic non-cancer pain by optimizing non-opioid therapy, restricting dosing, and tapering opioids. The guideline is focused on preventing harm and reducing addiction, with the goal of addressing Canada's opioid crisis.
Cornell researchers find that state databases tracking opioid prescriptions lead to a decline in abuse among Medicare recipients. Doctor shopping and excessive prescription refills also decrease in states with stricter laws.
A retrospective study found that 27% of naloxone recipients were family members of active opioid users and were responsible for 20% of all rescue attempts. Educating these individuals on overdose prevention and how to administer naloxone can significantly reduce fatal overdoses.
A new study published in Pain found that opioid use among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn veterans is comparable to the general US population. Chronic pain management with opioids was strongly associated with PTSD, major depressive disorder, tobacco use, and rural residence.
Emergency departments are increasingly using intranasal medication administration as an alternative to injections or IVs, offering a fast and noninvasive route to deliver medications directly to the brain. This method requires no needles, is less painful than IVs or injections, and minimizes infectious disease spread.
A recent study validates Venebio's Venebio Opioid Advisor (VOA) tool, which predicts the likelihood of a life-threatening opioid overdose with 90% accuracy. The tool was tested on 18.3 million patients and showed strong predictive performance.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that approximately 6% of patients continued to use opioids more than three months after surgery. Risk factors for persistent opioid use included preoperative tobacco use, alcohol and substance abuse disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, and preoperative pain disorders.
A point/counterpoint debate examines two approaches to controlling the opioid epidemic: increasing regulation of physician prescribing practices or better educating patients and doctors. The discussion highlights the importance of finding a balance between regulating opioid use and providing alternative pain management options.
A new review suggests targeting the oxytocin system could be an important target for developing medications to treat opioid addiction. Oxytocin-based therapies show promise in preventing relapse and may provide a novel effective approach to treating drug dependence.
A study found that real-world massage therapy produced clinically meaningful improvements in low back pain for primary care patients, with significant effects seen in adults from baby-boom and older generations. However, the benefits were not retained over time for obese patients, while those taking opioids showed less improvement.
Colleen LaBelle, director of Boston Medical Center's Office-Based Addiction Treatment program, has been awarded the 2017 Advocate State Award for Excellence by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. LaBelle's work on expanding access to substance use disorder treatment through her 'Massachusetts Model' has been instrumental i...
UNC School of Medicine scientists pinpoint MRGRPX2, a receptor protein on mast cells, as the key to understanding opioid-induced itching. The researchers created a chemical probe to interact with this receptor, potentially leading to the development of an antagonist to reduce itching side effects.
A new study recommends that pharmacies offer naloxone universally to patients taking opioid medications, without a prescription requirement. This could lead to a significant decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths.
Research suggests that medications that boost natural brain opioids might be more effective in reducing anxiety than traditional 'receptor-binding' opioid drugs. The study found that these natural opioids play a crucial role in regulating neural circuits involved in fear and anxiety responses.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers will pay big money for painful experiences like obstacle races and ultra-marathons. Through extensive interviews with Mudders, researchers learned that pain helps individuals cope with reduced physicality and create a story of a fulfilled life.
A study found that Medicaid expansion in 26 states led to a 70% increase in buprenorphine prescriptions and a 50% increase in Medicaid spending on the medication. The growth was largely driven by increased physician prescribing capacity, with each additional approved prescriber associated with a 45% boost in prescriptions.
A study found that taking opioids with benzodiazepines increases the risk of opioid overdose by substantially. Researchers call for cautious prescribing and education programs to warn prescribers and patients about the risks of concurrent use.
A University of Vermont study finds that childhood emotional abuse is strongly linked to adult opioid misuse, and suggests integrated treatment approaches for those struggling with addiction. The research also highlights the connection between PTSD and opioid use among individuals who experienced emotional abuse in childhood.
A new study suggests that pre-surgery opioid use is a significant risk factor for post-operative problems, including longer hospital stays and higher medical costs. Researchers recommend considering pre-op opioid use as a modifiable risk factor to improve patient outcomes and surgical experience.
A study analyzing nearly 30,000 liver transplant patients found elevated death and organ loss rates among those with high opioid use while waiting for a transplant. Transplant candidates requiring high levels of opioids should be carefully assessed before and after transplantation.
A Dartmouth Institute study found that regions with high specialist to primary care ratios have more overuse of low-value services, and the use of these services remained relatively consistent over time. The study also highlighted a concerning 'potential for double jeopardy in health services receipt among black Americans'.
Scientists at the University of Utah have discovered a compound from the venom of a small Caribbean Sea snail that blocks pain by targeting a distinct pathway not associated with opioid drugs. The benefits of the compound continue even after it has cleared the body, suggesting a potential new therapy for chronic pain.
A national survey found that nearly 70% of prescription opioid medications kept in homes with children are not stored safely. Among households with older children, only 12% reported safe storage. The study highlights the need for education and new technology to prevent accidental ingestions and overdose among young people.
A study from Harvard Medical School found that patients treated by frequent opioid prescribers were three times more likely to become long-term users and had a higher risk of adverse outcomes. In contrast, low-frequency prescribers showed no increased risk of return or treatment for similar symptoms.
A new study reveals that poorer and less-educated older Americans are more likely to experience severe chronic pain, even after accounting for age. The research also shows that people with lower levels of education and wealth are more likely to experience pain-related disability.
A recent study published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience found that the commercial weight-loss drug lorcaserin can help reduce opioid use and cravings in rats. The researchers administered lorcaserin to rats who had been self-administering oxycodone, resulting in decreased oxycodone use and drug-seeking behaviors.
A study published in Anesthesiology found that combining opioids with alcohol increases the risk of respiratory depression, a potentially life-threatening side effect. The combination is particularly concerning for elderly individuals, who are more likely to experience repeated episodes of shallow breathing.
A growing global concern, nonmedical use of prescription drugs among young people is linked to increased deaths from opioids and stimulants. The misuse of these medications can cause serious health problems and even lead to overdose.
Researchers have identified a potential therapeutic target for managing opioid withdrawal by discovering that an existing anti-gout medication can alleviate withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent rodents. The study's findings suggest that this treatment could provide relief for individuals struggling with opioid addiction, and the res...
The Temple Wedge Opioid (TWO) Treatment Program provides state-of-the-art care to pregnant women and their partners, addressing the growing issue of maternal opioid use. The Center of Excellence offers comprehensive treatment options, including medication-assisted treatment and psychiatric evaluation.
A study found that telepsychiatry provides similar clinical outcomes as face-to-face group sessions for patients with opioid use disorder receiving medication treatment with buprenorphine. The pilot study suggests that telepsychiatry may help extend access to medication-assisted treatment, particularly in rural areas.
A study of over 100,000 surgical cases at UVA Health System found patients' pain scores improved even as opioids were given fewer times. The average amount of opioids given per surgery declined 37%, while non-opioid pain medications increased by 120%.
A new study finds that the Veterans Health Administration's Opioid Safety Initiative reduced high-dose opioid prescribing by 24% and very-high-dose prescribing by 21%, resulting in 331 fewer patients per month receiving prescriptions above 100 MEQ. The initiative also led to a 21% decrease in patients receiving both opioids and sedatives.
A nationwide insurance database study identified psychiatric and behavioral conditions, as well as psychoactive medications, as predictors of long-term opioid use. Patients with mental health conditions or psychoactive medication use were at higher risk, with relative increases in rates ranging from 1.5 to 9 times.
A new study found that opioid prescribing rates in Canada decreased by 13.7% following the release of national guidelines for chronic non-cancer pain management in 2010. However, rates of opioid-related hospital visits rose 13% between 2010 and 2013, possibly due to high-dose prescriptions increasing overdose risk.
The proportion of rural infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome increased significantly between 2004 and 2013. This geographic disparity highlights the urgent need for policymakers to appropriate funding for clinicians and programs that could improve access to opioid prevention and treatment services for rural women and children.
Researchers have created two compounds that work as potential vaccines against opioid overdoses, preventing the drugs from entering the central nervous system and inducing addiction. The vaccine candidates showed promising results in mouse tests, with vaccinated mice surviving overdose fatalities at higher rates than unvaccinated mice.
Researchers found unemployed workers had the highest risk of misusing prescription opioids, while those out of the workforce entirely were most at risk for misusing prescription stimulants. Nonmedical prescription opioid use costs the US $42 billion in lost productivity annually.
Researchers at TSRI developed a vaccine that blocks the pain-numbing effects of oxycodone and hydrocodone in animal models, also decreasing the risk of fatal opioid overdose. The vaccine uses the immune system's ability to recognize and neutralize invaders, potentially depriving users of euphoria.
A new study compared the effectiveness of opioids and NSAIDs in treating persistent pain after car crashes, finding no significant difference in pain risk but a higher likelihood of ongoing opioid use among patients prescribed opioids.
A new study published in Wound Repair and Regeneration found that patients with chronic wounds who never received opioids healed faster than those who did. The study, led by GW researcher Victoria Shanmugam, analyzed data from 450 subjects and found a significant association between opioid dose and total wound surface area.
A UBC study found that marijuana use could help some alcoholics and opioid addicts kick their habits, as well as alleviate symptoms of depression, PTSD, and social anxiety. However, cannabis may not be recommended for conditions like bipolar disorder and psychosis.
A recent study found that one-third of people initiating opioid use became long-term users, particularly those using transdermal patches. Long-term opioid use was comparable to that of non-dementia individuals, but combined with benzodiazepines, it poses a significant risk.
The use of prescription opioids in Canada has increased steadily over the past 20 years, leading to a rise in overdose deaths and addiction. Experts propose several interventions, including guidelines for prescribing, limited dosages, electronic monitoring systems, and access to evidence-based treatment.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine found that electroacupuncture can lower blood pressure for at least three days by increasing enkephalin gene expression. The therapy may be suitable for treating clinical hypertension with minimal side effects.
A Scripps Florida team has illuminated a key molecular player in the addictive effects of morphine. The protein neurofibromin 1 is also disrupted in an inherited disorder called neurofibromatosis type 1, which causes chronic pain and other symptoms.
Research suggests that many people with chronic low back pain experience limited relief from opioids, with only 13% finding them 'very successful'. Additionally, patients often report side effects such as constipation, sleepiness, and cognitive issues.
RTI International is studying Appalachian states' opioid prevention and treatment policies to develop evidence-based recommendations. The study will analyze existing public health policies, identify best practices, and inform practical strategies for improving opioid-related programs and services.
A group of pediatricians is urging the pediatric workforce to address opioid addiction among young people, highlighting the need for evidence-based treatment including medication-assisted treatment. Many young people continue to see their pediatric provider well into young adulthood, when they first struggle with opioid addiction.
A randomized trial involving 1,302 asthmatic patients found no evidence to support the effectiveness of orally administered probiotics in reducing respiratory tract infections and antibiotic use. In contrast, a review of psychological interventions for postnatal depression found that community-based therapies were effective treatment o...
A study suggests that methylnaltrexone can improve the survival of advanced cancer patients with constipation, indicating a potential target for cancer therapy. The drug works by blocking opioid receptors in the gut, reversing constipation without affecting pain relief.
A new study published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases found an increasing proportion of hospitalizations for infective endocarditis linked to injection drug use among younger patients, including more white and female individuals. The study suggests a growing need for programs and services to prevent these deadly and costly infections.
A new study finds significant growth of infective endocarditis admissions among people who inject drugs, particularly among young, white, and female individuals. The study also highlights a shift towards youth, with injection drug use-related infections increasing by 12% between 2000 and 2013.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have identified a novel pain-killing compound, BU08028, that is not addictive and provides safe and effective pain relief without respiratory side effects. The study showed that the compound blocked the detection of pain for up to 30 hours and did not cause physical dependence.
Researchers discovered a protein that prevents delta opioid receptors from responding normally to opioids, but exposure to bradykinin restores their function. This finding could lead to the development of safer, more effective opioids for chronic pain treatment.
Researchers at Georgia State University identified a brain mechanism that prevents morphine tolerance and addiction. Blocking a particular cytokine eliminated morphine tolerance, reducing the dose required for pain relief by half.
A study of Chinese adolescents found a strong association between nonmedical use of prescription drugs and suicidal thoughts or attempts. The researchers also discovered that misuse of opioids and sedatives was linked to subsequent suicide attempts.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that major surgery patients are at a low risk of developing persistent opioid use. Out of 39,140 opioid-naive patients, only 168 continued to receive ongoing opioid prescriptions by 1 year after surgery, highlighting the low individual risk of long-term opioid use.
A study published in PLOS ONE found a significant racial disparity in opioid prescriptions for black patients with vague pain-related conditions, suggesting discrimination and potential unintended consequences. Researchers used the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to examine five-year data from 2007-2011.
A US study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that prescribing short-acting opioids with no refills to opioid-naive patients significantly reduces the risk of long-term dependency. The study analyzed data from Oregon, which has the highest rate of non-medical opioid use in the US.