Articles tagged with Opioids
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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 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.
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 study of 450 community outpatient mental health facilities found that approximately one-third offered medications for opioid use disorder. The availability of these medications highlights the need for further research on uptake and effective referral models.
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.
The NIH-funded HEALing Communities Study found that a data-driven intervention did not significantly reduce opioid-related overdose deaths, despite engaging communities in evidence-based practices. The study suggests that factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing fentanyl presence may have weakened the impact of the intervention.
A study published in JAMA found that high out-of-pocket costs are a significant barrier to filling naloxone prescriptions. The study, which utilized data from a national pharmacy transactions database, estimated that a $10 increase in cost would decrease the rate of filling prescriptions by about 2-3 percentage points.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine are developing an AI model to predict opioid addiction in high-risk patients. The model uses generative artificial intelligence to analyze genomic, social determinants of health, clinical, procedural, and demographic data to identify patients at greatest risk.
Researchers found a coordinated effort by Mallinckrodt to reframe concerns about addiction as phobia and muddle dependence as pseudoaddiction. The company employed tactics like recruiting influencers, planting articles in scientific journals, and developing continuing medical education courses to boost sales.
A new study of 11,000 overdose deaths in Pennsylvania found that Black people who died from an overdose were half as likely to have received naloxone as white people. This racial disparity in naloxone administration highlights the need for targeted strategies to distribute life-saving medication and educate communities about its use.
A recent analysis reveals that Black individuals in Pennsylvania are less likely to receive naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdose. Hispanic decedents had similar odds of naloxone administration as white decedents.
Researchers found that five cannabis terpenes reduced chronic neuropathic pain levels comparable to morphine. The combination of terpenes and morphine enhanced pain relief without negative side effects. Terpenes offer an alternative to opioids for pain management with a better side effect profile.
A new study explores the growing fentanyl smoking culture in San Francisco, highlighting individual experiences and local trends. Participants reported fear of overdose and challenges with injecting as motivations for switching to smoking, but some expressed concerns about hygiene and residue risks.
Scientists at UNC-Chapel Hill discovered that xylazine binds too kappa opioid receptors, suggesting why fentanyl/xylazine withdrawal is so harsh. This finding could have big implications for future scheduling recommendations and treatment approaches for patients experiencing respiratory depression.
Law enforcement seizures of illicit fentanyl increased dramatically between 2017 and 2023, with 115 million pills seized in 2023 compared to 49,657 in 2017. The proportion of fentanyl pill seizures quadrupled, posing significant risks to public health.
Fentanyl seizures in the US increased by 1,700% between 2017 and 2023, with pills accounting for nearly half of total seizures. The West region saw a significant increase in fentanyl pill seizures, while the South had the highest number of powder form seizures.
Starting people with opioid use disorder on extended-release, injectable naltrexone within five to seven days of seeking treatment is more effective than the standard method. This rapid treatment protocol requires closer medical supervision and could make XR-naltrexone a more viable option for treating opioid use disorder.
A comprehensive analysis of seized counterfeit pills found that 99.3% contained fentanyl, with 67% also containing para-fluorofentanyl. The study highlights the importance of understanding the contents of counterfeit prescription pills for effective treatment approaches.
A telehealth program created by Project ECHO has been found to reduce reliance on opioids in pain management. The program connects primary care providers with experts via videoconferencing, leading to lower rates of opioid prescribing and greater adherence to evidence-based recommendations.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that less than 15% of US college students can administer naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdoses. Despite this, nearly 62% of students can identify signs of an overdose and nearly 67% feel comfortable calling emergency services.
A large study found that people with opioid use disorder were less likely to receive palliative care and died at younger ages due to causes unrelated to their condition. The lack of access to palliative care was attributed to challenges in accessing social support, finances, and stable housing.
University of Birmingham researchers are developing a screening tool to identify patients most susceptible to persistent opioid usage after major surgery. The project aims to combine metabolic, neurobiological and cognitive profiles to predict patient responses to pain management, enabling clinicians to build targeted treatment plans.
Research found that one more job per 100 Black workers in a county was associated with .29 fewer overdose deaths per 100,000 Black Americans. The study suggests that economic context is critical to understanding the demand side of the drug epidemic among Black Americans.
A large study found a slightly increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders among children exposed to prescription opioids during pregnancy, particularly at higher doses and longer durations. However, the researchers interpret this as clinically insignificant.
A new study found that the elimination of a federal waiver requirement increased the number of clinicians prescribing buprenorphine, but didn't lead to a sharp rise in patient treatment. By December 2023, over 53,600 clinicians had prescribed buprenorphine, but numbers remained stable compared to 2022.
A new study from Texas A&M University explores the connections between workplace drug policies, mental health, and opioid misuse. Researchers found that punitive policies may exacerbate psychological distress and worsen existing health disparities.
Pediatric opioid overdoses show a decreasing trend between 2008 and 2019, with a notable increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. High-risk populations include young children and adolescents, particularly males and those in urban teaching hospitals.
People with nonfatal opioid overdose who access peer support in emergency departments are more likely to initiate treatment and less likely to have repeated overdoses. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed the outcomes of a New Jersey-based program that connects patients with peer recovery specialists.
Opioid-related deaths doubled between 2019 and 2021 across Canada, with over 1 in 4 deaths among young adults aged 20–39 years attributable to opioids. The concentration of harm in younger populations was consistent across provinces and territories.
The study reveals how opioid receptors stabilize a state for effective signal transmission, making superagonists potent and dangerous. It also highlights the importance of understanding molecular interactions for drug development and developing safer medicines.
A new study from Aarhus University investigates 327 deaths related to opioid overdoses in Denmark and finds that being alone increases the risk of fatal poisoning. The study also highlights the importance of recognizing sleep as a precursor to opioid poisoning, particularly among young people.
Researchers at University of Waterloo found that nasal-administered naloxone is more cost-effective than current intramuscular version, potentially reducing opioid-related deaths. The study suggests that publicly funding intranasal naloxone distribution across Canada could save additional lives.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found significant variation in opioid treatment for critically ill infants across different institutions and geographic regions. The study reports wide variability in opioid prescribing practices, which can impact hospitalization length of stay, healthcare costs, and long-term outcomes.
A new study led by Worcester Polytechnic Institute aims to determine whether AI can help doctors predict which patients will benefit from mindfulness-based stress reduction in managing chronic lower back pain. The research uses machine learning and physiological data from fitness sensors to detect patterns that may not be apparent to d...
The Oregon Poison Center has seen a dramatic increase in cases of young children exposed to fentanyl, with 539 cases managed in 2023, a 449% increase from 2016. The majority of exposures occurred at home, highlighting the need for education and awareness about preventing unintentional pediatric drug exposures.
Researchers found comparable pain management with less nausea-medication usage and reduced need for residential rehabilitation after hospital discharge. This switch also improved patient experience, enabling quicker return to daily activities.
A new study found that NC prosecutors believe DIH laws reduce overdoses and illicit drug distribution, but this is contradicted by evidence. The number of DIH prosecutions does not correlate with community-level variables like overdose rates.
A survey study reveals primary care pediatricians lack preparedness in managing adolescent OUD, with a notable gap compared to other substance use disorders. The results underscore the importance of workforce training programs to address this critical healthcare issue.
A new study examines perceptions of US veterans treatment court team members regarding the program's viability and longevity. The researchers found that team members believe VTCs will continue to exist and expand, but face challenges in securing stable funding sources and maintaining buy-in from key individuals.
A new study has found that heavy alcohol use and illicit opioid use are linked to a higher risk of falls and fractures among people living with HIV. The study suggests the need for targeted clinical screening and interventions to prevent falls and related injuries, particularly among populations already at risk.
Prescription opioids linked to increased risk of serious falls among adults, with older individuals most vulnerable. Targeted prevention efforts may be most effective within the first month after opioid initiation.
Researchers found that American visitors to Florida were 63% more likely to die from a drug overdose compared to visitors to all other states. The high proportion of overdose deaths among visitors to Florida may be attributed to the state's 'Florida Shuffle' treatment loop and lack of regulation in pain management clinics.
Research suggests cannabis can help manage stimulant cravings in individuals at risk of overdose, with a notable reduction in crystal meth use observed among those who used cannabis for craving management. Further investigation is needed to understand the full potential of cannabis in addressing the overdose crisis.
A new University of Colorado Boulder study suggests that increased access to potentially lethal prescription opioids has made it easier for women to end their lives. The study also found that a shrinking federal safety net has contributed to rising suicide rates during tough economic times, particularly among all adults.