Articles tagged with Opioids
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
The study found that individuals receiving methadone had a lower risk of treatment discontinuation compared to those receiving buprenorphine/naloxone. Additionally, the risk of mortality while receiving treatment was similar between medications, with no significant differences observed.
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.
A new study has found that men and women utilize different biological systems to relieve pain. Women rely on non-opioid based pathways, which may explain why they respond poorly to opioid therapies and are more likely to become addicted. The research suggests tailoring pain treatment to an individual's sex may improve patient outcomes.
The number of seizures in US children due to medication or substance exposure has more than doubled between 2009 and 2023. The main culprits are over-the-counter antihistamines, prescription antidepressants, painkillers, and synthetic cannabinoids.
Researchers found a significant increase in the use of naloxone by people without medical training to treat opioid overdoses. From June 2020 to June 2022, EMS reported 24,990 patients receiving naloxone from an untrained bystander before EMS arrived, representing a 43.5% growth.
A new study reveals that etizolam and gabapentinoids contribute to a rising culture of polydrug use and increased drug-related deaths in Scotland. The analysis of 18 studies found a significant increase in gabapentinoid-related deaths, primarily due to concurrent opioid use.
A recent study found that smokers report higher rates of chronic pain, poor mental health, and severe work limitations due to pain. Quitting smoking can reduce prescription opioid use and associated health problems, emphasizing the need for integrated treatment programs.
Researchers have discovered molecules capable of limiting the side effects of opioids by blocking the receptor responsible for their action. The scientists created even smaller molecules that retain the same properties, which could prove far more effective than current treatments in mitigating the harmful effects of opioids.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.