Articles tagged with Opioids
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A new study found that completing a six-month substance use disorder treatment program instead of arrest and prosecution reduces the risk of arrest, incarceration, or fatal overdose. Participants who completed the program had a more favorable crime and overdose profile compared to those who did not engage or complete the program.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has published its first clinical guideline for pediatricians on prescribing opioids, emphasizing the importance of safe use in treating acute pain. The guideline recommends routine prescription of naloxone alongside every opioid prescription to reverse overdoses.
A recent study found that naloxone was successful in improving clinical status in 54.1% of pediatric patients who received the antidote, and one-third received two or more doses. Naloxone administrations occurred most often in home settings, and boys were slightly more likely to receive the treatment.
As of 2019, over 1.4 million US children have lost a family member to a drug overdose, according to a USC Dornsife study. The trend shows younger children are increasingly affected, with 5-year-olds experiencing loss at the same rate as 10-year-olds 15 years ago.
Children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to receive opioids after a broken elbow diagnosis. The study found disparities in opioid prescriptions based on patient race, age, and geographic location.
A new review of evidence has found that buprenorphine-precipitated withdrawal occurs in only 0-13.2% of adults taking their first dose, with symptoms being generally mild. The study calls for better evidence to measure the true risk and encourages doctors and patients to use this effective treatment.
A study by Rutgers Health researchers found that unintentional opioid exposure in children primarily occurs at home, with over 91% of cases involving a child's home. The study highlights the need for proper medication storage and disposal, especially involving grandparents' medications and pet medications.
A new study from Case Western Reserve University found that patients taking semaglutide had a significantly lower risk of opioid overdose compared to those on other anti-diabetic medications. The research suggests semaglutide could be a potential new treatment for opioid use disorder and preventing overdoses.
A study suggests that semaglutide may have therapeutic value in preventing opioid overdoses by reducing the associated risk. The results require further validation, but the findings indicate a potential benefit for patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes and opioid use disorder.
The HOMER study successfully adapted to COVID-19 challenges by incorporating telehealth and accommodating patient preferences. The study has enrolled nearly 300 participants and continues to contribute valuable insights into opioid treatment research.
Research found that patients leaving hospital prematurely, known as 'before medically advised' (BMA) discharge, have a significantly higher risk of drug overdose in the following month. This increase is due to factors such as persistent pain and untreated addiction after hospital discharge.
Nonfatal opioid overdoses in youth increased significantly during the pandemic, with a majority (86%) occurring among young adults and adolescents aged 12-17 experiencing a high-risk trend. Keeping naloxone at home is crucial to preventing overdose deaths.
Prehospital encounters for opioid overdoses increased among US youth from 2018 to 2022, particularly among adolescents aged 12-17, which showed an upward trend both before and during the pandemic. Overall, trends were largely driven by those aged 18-24.
A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers found that large language models demonstrated no racial or gender discrimination in opioid treatment recommendations. The results suggest that these AI models have the potential to reduce bias and improve health equity in pain management, which is a critical area where disparities exist.
A new $4 million grant aims to test auricular point acupressure as a treatment for chronic pain in rural populations. The project, led by UTHealth Houston and USC, will use a smartphone app to guide patients through self-administered ear stimulation.
Prescription volumes for stimulant and antidepressant medications rose, while opioid volumes decreased between 2019 and 2022. Telehealth prescriptions climbed across medications, with a notable increase in opioids.
A study of 164,170 Medicare beneficiaries reveals racial disparities in opioid prescriptions after hip fracture hospitalization. Black and Asian patients receive significantly lower doses of opioids compared to white patients.
A new study found that oxycodone consumption in Australia decreased by 45% from 2019 to 2020, coinciding with national policy changes. The Australian National Prescribing Service launched initiatives to improve opioid prescribing practices, including training and reduced package sizes.
Researchers investigate synthetic oxytocin as a potential pain reducer and addiction curber for susceptible older adults. A two-year study with NIH funding aims to evaluate the effects of oxytocin on acute pain management and opioid use.
Evan Lowder and Chelsea Foudray are conducting a study to assess MOUD provision in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, with funding from Fairfax County and the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority. The study aims to inform best practices for initiating individuals into medication-assisted treatment upon release from jail.
A study found that only six states successfully delivered medications for opioid use disorder to at least 50% of people referred to treatment by the criminal legal system. This disparity leads to a high risk of overdose death among individuals leaving jails and prisons, highlighting the need for better access to effective treatments.
A study by Brown University researchers found that fentanyl's introduction into Oregon's unregulated market contributed to the state's overdose rate increase. Decriminalization of drug possession was not linked to an rise in fatal overdoses.
A recent study found that Quebec's drug-related mortality rates increased over time, peaking in 2020, due to the contamination of the drug market. Fentanyl and new synthetic opioids are on track to become the most commonly detected substances in opioid poisoning deaths.
A new study found that communities with pharmacies dispensing standing order naloxone experienced a gradual and significant decrease in opioid deaths, averaging 16% per year. This suggests that expanding access to naloxone through state-mandated standing orders can save lives and reduce opioid fatality rates.
A study at Karolinska Institutet reveals that morphine activates a 'morphine ensemble' of neurons in the brain, leading to pain relief. This understanding may help develop new strategies to treat pain without triggering addiction and overdose.
Researchers at the University of Calgary are conducting a clinical trial using probenecid, an anti-gout medication, to treat debilitating opioid withdrawal symptoms. The study's lead authors aim to develop a potential treatment for the disabling symptoms of opioid withdrawal, which can be crippling.
A new study found that communities with pharmacies implementing a state standing order to distribute naloxone without a prescription showed a significant decrease in opioid-related deaths. The analysis, conducted from 2013 to 2018, observed a gradual decline of 16% per year in cities with naloxone distribution, compared to those without.
Researchers found that women with opioid use disorder face structural barriers and stigma that may keep them from engaging with traditional harm reduction practices. Increasing accessibility of harm reduction tools and expanding education are key recommendations to reduce overdose risk for women.
A recent study found that 20% of patients with chronic cough received an opioid prescription, with older patients and those with Medicaid insurance more likely to be prescribed these drugs. The research team hopes to explore alternative treatment options to reduce reliance on opioids for chronic cough care.
A recent UC Davis Health study found that administering naloxone to patients with opioid-associated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) significantly improves return of spontaneous circulation and survival rates. The study analyzed data from San Francisco, Sacramento, and Yolo county EMS agencies between 2015-2023.
A new study found that pharmacies in racially and economically segregated communities are more likely to restrict buprenorphine dispensing, hindering access to treatment for opioid use disorder. This can lead to a threefold increase in overdose fatality rates among Black and Hispanic/Latinx communities.
Brigham researchers created an implantable device that continuously monitors vital signs and delivers naloxone when detecting opioid overdose. The 'iSOS' device has shown effectiveness in preclinical models, offering a potential solution to the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic.
Researchers have developed an implantable device that can independently detect opioid overdose and automatically administer naloxone, with promising results in animal trials. The device, called iSOS, uses multiple sensors to continuously monitor vital signs and rapidly release naloxone when needed.
Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed an implantable device that monitors vital signs and releases naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses. The device has shown success in reversing overdoses in animals, with a 96% recovery rate.
Pregnant women exposed to buprenorphine combined with naloxone had similar or more favorable outcomes compared to those exposed to buprenorphine alone. This suggests that both formulations are safe treatment options for opioid use disorder during pregnancy.
Researchers discovered that opioid receptors in the dorsal peduncular nucleus respond uniquely to opioids, blocking aversive feelings and leading to reward. This finding contributes to the pleasurable and addictive qualities of opioids.
A new study led by UMass Amherst and Tufts Medical Center will provide HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for people with opioid use disorders who are incarcerated. The study aims to increase the number of incarcerated individuals tested and treated, addressing a critical gap in healthcare access.
A review of 148 studies found nearly one in ten patients experience opioid dependence or disorder, while nearly one in three show symptoms. The study emphasizes the need for accurate estimates to develop effective interventions and manage the problem.
Researchers found that witnessing community members engage in prosocial behaviors increases policymakers' willingness to support pro-social policies, such as syringe service programs. The study suggests that communities can exert a positive influence on authorities and contribute to the greater good.
A new study found that patients in hospitals with specialized addiction consult services were more likely to start and continue lifesaving medication for opioid use disorder treatment after discharge. The CATCH program, a hospital-based intervention, showed promising results in increasing treatment initiation and retention rates compar...
Researchers at Boston Medical Center found that medications for opioid use disorder were underused in Massachusetts despite improving outcomes. The study highlighted disparities among patients who received treatment, including younger people and Black patients being less likely to receive medication.
A nationwide study found a marked increase in new GLP-1RA prescriptions for obesity, particularly since 2020. Semaglutide was the most prescribed GLP-1RA, but prescriptions among those with obesity without type 2 diabetes spiked, worsening existing racial and ethnic disparities.
Researchers have identified a strategy to design safer opioids that suppress pain with fewer side effects. An experimental opioid, RO76, was found to produce a signal within cells that differs from those initiated by classic opioids, leading to reduced breathing rates and withdrawal symptoms.
Researchers at Mainz University have identified aniquinazolin B, a natural substance from the marine fungus Aspergillus nidulans, which stimulates opioid receptors and could potentially replace opioids in the long term. The compound shows promising results with fewer undesirable reactions compared to opioids.
Researchers identified a viable path to developing a novel therapy that would make opioids more effective and safer as a treatment for chronic pain. The study found that selective Hsp90 inhibitors amplified the pain-relieving effects of morphine, reducing tolerance and side effects.
A new technological breakthrough has enabled scientists to visualize opioid signaling in the brain in real-time, providing a deeper understanding of how opioids affect the brain. This breakthrough has opened up new avenues for developing more effective and safer therapeutics for pain management and mental health disorders.
A Canadian study found that prescribing lower quantities of opioids can help reduce misuse and overdose. The study suggests adapting prescription practices to patients' analgesic needs, with varying quantities based on the type of pain condition.
A study published by University at Buffalo researchers found that telemedicine referrals led to increased patient retention in treatment, with 65.1% of telemedicine patients still in care at the 30-day mark versus 22.2% of those referred from an emergency department visit. This suggests that telemedicine can remove barriers to care and...
A recent study published in JAMA Health Forum found that opioid-exposed newborns are 41% more likely to be discharged home with their biological mother when mothers receive medication for opioid use disorder during pregnancy. This reduction in risk is significant, as it can have a positive impact on families and the child welfare system.
A randomized controlled trial found that support from a peer recovery support specialist was as effective in reducing opioid overdose as support from a licensed clinical social worker. The trial included 648 ED patients at high risk of opioid overdose and showed no significant difference between the two groups in fatal opioid overdoses.
Treatment approaches for opioid use disorder are underreported and inadequate in US substance use treatment facilities, with more than one-third lacking medications for OUD. The study highlights the need for improved treatment options to address the opioid epidemic.
A study found that 1 in 6 youths fill an opioid prescription prior to surgery and 3% continue using them three to six months later. Persistent opioid use among adolescents is a concern due to genetic, neurobiological, and social vulnerabilities.
Researchers have identified a novel compound that can reverse the lethal effects of opioid overdose when paired with naloxone, reducing withdrawal symptoms and extending protection. The discovery builds on new insights into opioid receptors and could combat the devastating fentanyl epidemic.
A study published in JMIR Medical Informatics found that machine learning can accurately classify patients into differing levels of opioid use disorder (OUD) risk, demonstrating substantial agreement with clinicians' reviews. The research suggests that this technology can enhance personalized and safer care for patients early in opioid...
Researchers discover a novel compound that can work alongside naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses, reducing withdrawal symptoms and enhancing naloxone's life-saving effects. The new compound, known as compound 368, binds next to naloxone on opioid receptors, holding it in place and slowing its natural degradation.
Researchers have identified a potential compound that enhances naloxone's effectiveness in reversing opioid overdoses by making it more potent and longer-lasting. The compound, dubbed compound 368, was found to improve naloxone's ability to counteract opioid overdoses in mice and enable reversal at lower doses.
A recent study found that US medical boards are often lenient when disciplining doctors for misconduct related to opioid overprescription. Researchers examined 100 cases and found that only six cases resulted in a doctor's license being revoked, with most receiving lighter disciplines such as temporary suspension or probation.
Two studies published by researchers at the University of Michigan found that a handful of common surgical procedures, such as tonsillectomies and C-sections, account for large shares of all opioids dispensed after surgery. The studies suggest opportunities to reduce surgical opioid prescribing without compromising pain control.
Pharmaceutical companies exploited a loophole in the DEA's monitoring system, leading to an oversupply of opioids in communities. The study highlights the impact on Black communities, where overdose deaths tripled from 2014 to 2020. High supply chain complexity played a key role in evading regulations.
A new study by Michigan Medicine University found that nearly all patients with buprenorphine prescriptions filled them, even when paying more out-of-pocket. The researchers suggest removing barriers to continuous prescribing as the main focus of efforts.