Pain research & management : the journal of the Canadian Pain Society = journal de la société canadienne pour le traitement de la douleur
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Methadone is one of the most important medications used for the treatment of refractory pain in the palliative care setting, and is usually initially prescribed by one of a limited number of physicians who have acquired authorization for its use. A lack of authorized physicians able to take over prescribing when the patient is stable is a barrier to accessing methadone for analgesia. ⋯ Responding family physicians had mostly received little education regarding methadone for pain, but were aware of their need for education and were willing to learn. Physicians who had already become authorized were generally satisfied with the process of authorization, and believed the process of education through authorization was appropriate and not onerous.
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In Canada, harm from nonmedical prescription opioid analgesic (POA) use (NMPOU) has increased in recent years; however, there are limitations to the current estimates of NMPOU. The 2009 Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey presents an opportunity to produce more accurate estimates of NMPOU. ⋯ These findings confirm high POA use and NMPOU across Canada. Research is required to identify determinants of NMPOU.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Controlled-release oxycodone and naloxone in the treatment of chronic low back pain: a placebo-controlled, randomized study.
For Canadian regulatory purposes, an analgesic study was required to complement previously completed, pivotal studies on bowel effects and analgesia associated with controlled-release (CR) oxycodone⁄CR naloxone. ⋯ In patients complying with treatment as per protocol, CR oxycodone⁄CR naloxone was effective for the management of chronic low back pain of moderate or severe intensity.
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Postoperative pain is an important factor affecting anesthesia and surgery. ⋯ 1200 mg gabapentin reduced postoperative pain and the need for opioids, and enabled earlier ambulation of the patient. Significant side effects were not observed.