Articles tagged with Opioids
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Rescue Biomedical's technology detects opioid overdoses and delivers naloxone to reverse them. The NIH grant will help the company complete milestones, including regulatory approval and scaling up manufacturing.
Researchers will test a new telehealth platform linking people who have overdosed with access to medication for opioid use disorder, harm reduction services, and recovery supports. The project aims to expedite access to medication and reduce overdose events and fatalities.
Nonadherence with buprenorphine treatment was associated with increased opioid overdose risk and higher healthcare expenditures in a study of 34,000 Medicare patients. The study found that treatment gaps led to more frequent overdoses and increased healthcare costs.
A McMaster University study found that switching to non-opioid painkillers after surgery can significantly reduce opioid consumption and improve patient outcomes. The six-week study enrolled 193 patients who received either standard opioid-based painkillers or a combination therapy of naproxen, acetaminophen, and pantoprazole.
The October issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry focus on diagnosis and treatment of opioid use disorder and cannabis use disorder. Psychiatric Services features research reports on issues related to mental health services for people with serious mental illness.
Researchers found that individuals who received naloxone were nine times more likely to survive an overdose, but access to the drug varied greatly across counties. The study suggests that increasing distribution of naloxone, training emergency responders, and expanding take-home programs could help combat the opioid epidemic.
A clinical trial of email alerts from pharmacists to doctors and other practitioners found no reduction in risky opioid prescribing, highlighting the need for rigorous testing of policies aimed at making opioid prescribing safer. The study tested behavioral science techniques to encourage safer prescribing practices.
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals that law enforcement is not uniformly recognizing and respecting the legal protections in place to support harm reduction programs. Despite these protections, more than half of survey participants reported negative experiences with law enforcement, including confiscation of suppl...
A prospective multicenter case-control study found that third-trimester fetuses exposed to opioids in utero exhibited smaller brain biometric measurements and altered fetal physiology. The study suggests a possible link between prenatal opioid exposure and postnatal clinical outcomes.
A new study found that medical cannabis users reported significant improvements in pain management, social functioning, and overall health. The majority of participants were able to stop or reduce their opioid use, with some experiencing a five-fold decrease in hydrocodone prescriptions.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago found that opioid deaths in Cook County have been undercounted by up to 15%, with the majority of missed cases occurring in hospitals. The study highlights the need for better data collection and reporting to combat the opioid crisis.
Researchers at UC Davis aim to develop monoclonal antibodies that can bind to specific ion channels in nerve cells, inhibiting pain signal transmission. The goal is to create a monthly, non-addictive pain medication to replace opioids, which can lead to addiction.
For people at high risk of overdose enrolled in a safer opioid supply program, there was a rapid decrease in emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and health care costs. The study found improved outcomes for participants compared to those not exposed to the program.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant increase in years of life lost to unintentional drug overdose among adolescents, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl contributing to the rising trend. Researchers found that mortality due to unintentional overdose in adolescents reached an all-time high in 2020.
A new poll reveals that nearly half of people over 50 experience joint pain, and many turn to prescription-based treatments despite potential health risks. The poll's authors stress the need for healthcare providers to discuss medication interactions and non-drug options with patients.
A new analysis reveals that mandatory prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) do not significantly impact retail opioid sales across eight commonly prescribed opioids. The findings suggest that PDMP implementation is best considered as part of a broader policy response to the opioid crisis.
A new randomized, controlled trial demonstrates that Medasense's NOL monitoring during major abdominal surgery can reduce postoperative pain by 30% compared to standard care. The study found that personalized fentanyl dosing with NOL guidance leads to lower sympathetic activation and surgical stress, resulting in reduced PACU pain scores.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that engaging with non-drug related online communities significantly reduces the risk of relapse during remission. Participants who engaged with more online forums had a lower risk of opioid use episode, with a potential 5% reduction per forum.
Scientists have developed a soft, bioresorbable device that cools peripheral nerves to reduce pain. The device was tested in rat models and found to be effective, reversible, and non-addictive, with potential applications for treating neuropathic pain after surgery.
A new American Heart Association statement highlights the need for specialized care in people who inject drugs, a population with a complex approach to manage potentially deadly heart infections. The standard treatment includes six weeks of intravenous antibiotics, but alternative regimens and oral antibiotics may help complete treatment.
A newly identified link between chronic pain and lung cancer in mice suggests that old drugs such as clonidine, capsaicin, and fluphenazine may offer new treatments for chronic pain. The study found that blocking the BH4 pathway reduced pain sensitivity and decreased tumor growth in mouse models of KRAS-driven lung cancer.
A study found that expanded telehealth services for opioid use disorder care during the COVID-19 pandemic led to individuals staying in treatment longer and reducing their risk of medically treated overdose. The expansion also showed improved receipt and retention of medication-assisted treatment, suggesting a valuable approach to addr...
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers found that fentanyl stops breathing before noticeable changes occur, leading to a high risk of death when used illicitly. The discovery could enable safer opioid administration through EEG monitoring.
Mandated PDMP use in US states reduced opioid prescriptions by 6.1% but led to a 50.1% increase in heroin-related deaths, according to researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that four out of five counties with the highest opioid overdose death rates do not have a methadone clinic accessible within a 15-minute drive. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) may offer a possible solution to improving access to opioid treatment programs in rural communities.
A recent observational study found that out-of-pocket naloxone costs hindered access among the uninsured population, particularly those with opioid use disorder. The study's findings suggest that cost barriers may not significantly limit naloxone use in this vulnerable group.
A RAND Corporation study found that the out-of-pocket cost of naloxone increased by more than 500% for those without health insurance, while decreasing for those with coverage. The high cost may be a significant barrier to naloxone adoption among the uninsured, highlighting the need for policymakers to address financial barriers.
Researchers found that a gene called PTCHD1 plays a crucial role in opioid tolerance by altering cholesterol content in cell membranes. This discovery may lead to the development of new pain medications with lower overdose risk.
A new University of Rochester study compares two groups of patients with dental extractions, finding that a combination of non-opioid pain medications and gabapentin can minimize or eliminate opioids for dental pain. The results show promise for reducing opioid use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers studied the impact of withholding nitrous oxide on labor pain and found no adverse outcomes for mothers or children. Opioid use increased significantly but no change in other measures such as epidural use or Caesarean section rates were observed.
A new study reveals that methamphetamine use is widespread in rural America, driving overdoses and deaths. The research found that people using both methamphetamine and opioids had a significantly higher risk of nonfatal overdose, with 22% reporting an overdose in the past six months.
A study of rural communities in the US found that people using both methamphetamine and opioids had the highest risk of nonfatal overdose. The study suggests that addressing methamphetamine use alongside opioid use is crucial for reducing overdose rates in these communities.
Researchers at Houston Methodist found that injecting morphine into the tibia during knee replacement surgery reduces postoperative pain and the need for pain medication. This method, known as intraosseous infusion, may also facilitate a swifter recovery of the knee joint.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine suggest improvements to the release process and treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder (MOUD) who are transitioning from jail to the community. The study identifies three critical areas for improvement: bridge doses, better communication, and phone access.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that opioid prescriptions declined for US patients with both cancer and non-cancer pain between 2012 and 2019. The proportion of people receiving any opioid prescription dropped from 49.7% to 30.5% for non-cancer pain and from 86.0% to 78.7% for cancer pain.
A cohort study found that reinfection rates are low after successful hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in people who inject drugs, suggesting a benefit of treatment in this population. The risk for reinfection was highest among those with ongoing injecting drug use and needle sharing.
A study of 482,000 children and adolescents found no link between state laws limiting opioid prescriptions and the receipt of these prescriptions. Alternative strategies, such as youth-specific guidelines, are needed to address this public health concern.
A new study found that 86.6% of people with opioid use disorder are not receiving life-saving medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and extended-release naltrexone. The researchers recommend expanding treatment access by removing barriers, eliminating stigma, and ensuring evidence-based medications are used.
A Michigan Medicine study found that patients who received preoperative education on opioid risks and nonopioid pain management options consumed significantly less oxycodone, with only 16 doses used despite similar pain scores. The results suggest a multimodal approach to managing pain can reduce harm and prevent substance use disorders.
A new study at the University of Missouri found that prenatal opioid exposure can trigger long-term neurological or behavioral effects in children. The research suggests that opioids impact the developing fetus' gut microbiome, leading to changes in metabolic pathways and potentially affecting overall health and wellness.
Research found significant geographic disparities in opioid overdose death rates between US counties, with rural areas experiencing much higher rates. Between 1999 and 2020, rural overdose deaths increased by 4.5-fold, while urban rates rose by only 2.3 times.
A new study shows that telehealth, particularly audio-only visits, helped keep VA patients on medication for opioid use disorder during the pandemic. Phone visits also played a key role in reducing dropouts from care.
A multidisciplinary team at UVA Health will use deep brain stimulation to treat refractory neuropathic pain, aiming to modulate pain signals from the insula. The study may shed light on the fundamental nature of pain and identify biological indicators for effective treatment.
Bone marrow donors can now receive significantly reduced opioid medication during and after the donation procedure, resulting in a more comfortable experience. The new pain control method, using regional anesthesia, drastically decreased opioid usage from 84% to 23% among patients.
A multi-center trial found that buccally absorbed cannabidiol reduced immediate post-operative pain following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, with patients reporting lower pain scores and higher satisfaction rates compared to placebo. CBD was also safe, with no significant differences in nausea or liver function tests.
The 2016 CDC guideline aimed to reduce opioid-related overdose deaths by encouraging clinicians to weigh the benefits and risks of prescribing opioids. Researchers found a significant increase in nonopioid pain medication prescribing rates, coinciding with a drop in opioid prescribing.
National data indicate that expanded access to methadone treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic did not lead to increased harms, but rather declined percentage of overdose deaths involving methadone. This evidence supports expanding take-home treatment for opioid use disorder.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that preoperative opioid use and four or more years of preoperative pain increased the odds of chronic post-surgery opioid use in patients undergoing adult spinal deformity surgery. Alternative pain management methods and early referrals to specialists may help mitigate this risk.
A study published in PAIN Reports found that individuals with opioid use disorder (OUd) experience greater central sensitization, leading to worse quality of life. Central sensitization refers to abnormal pain processing in the brain and spinal cord, causing people to suffer more from pain.
Researchers assessed buprenorphine coverage and prior authorization requirements in US commercial formularies from 2017 to 2021. The study found that coverage and requirements changed over time, with more stringent regulations in place by 2021.
A mouse study found significant changes in the infant gut microbiome associated with maternal oxycodone exposure. These bacterial changes are linked to alterations in metabolic pathways, suggesting a potential connection between prenatal opioid exposure and long-term health consequences.
A Michigan Medicine study found that people with cerebral palsy and spina bifida are prescribed opioids at a rate up to five times higher than those without the conditions. Chronic pain is the most commonly reported symptom among these individuals, raising concerns over addiction and overdose issues.
A new study found that opioids like morphine can cause gastric inflammation due to increased acid secretion and delayed gastric emptying. Treatment with naloxone or proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole may provide gastroprotection, improving pain management and reducing side effects.
A new study found that hospitals can reduce excessive opioid prescribing by implementing an evidence-based default setting for opioid prescriptions written in electronic health records. The study showed that patients who received a standard prescription size with a lower default dose of opioids had similar pain control, but took home f...
This qualitative study provides consensus-level guidance to clinicians caring for patients with advanced cancer-related pain and opioid misuse or use disorder. The findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive assessment and multimodal treatment strategies.
Experts outline a framework for treating cancer pain in patients with opioid use disorder or prescription opioid misuse. The study highlights the need for better integration of addiction treatment in cancer care, particularly prescribing methadone and buprenorphine.
A new study found that low-income Canadians are nearly four times more likely to be hospitalized and end up in emergency departments due to opioid use. The study also shows a significant gap in opioid-related deaths between low-income and high-income Canadians, with those living in lower-income areas still at higher risk.
A Rutgers study reveals that racial and ethnic minority groups were less likely to obtain prescriptions to treat opioid addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is particularly concerning, as minority groups face more barriers to healthcare and are already disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
Researchers found that 27.8% of drugs with high abuse potential successfully completed development compared to 4.7% for low-abuse potential drugs. Funding is needed to improve understanding of pain mechanisms and develop non-addictive treatments.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted access to addiction treatment for adolescents and young adults, particularly those with private health insurance. Prescription claims data shows a significant decline in buprenorphine prescriptions among this age group, especially among those with commercial insurance coverage.