Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy
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Expert Opin Pharmacother · May 2011
EditorialSustained-release morphine sulfate with sequestered naltrexone for moderate to severe pain: a new opioid analgesic formulation and beyond.
Opioid usage during chronic nonmalignant pain has increased substantially over the past two decades. Prescription opioids have become the second most misused drug in the USA and prescription opioid abuse has escalated into a widespread public health problem. It is hoped that abuse-deterrent opioid formulations will take an important role in reducing opioid abuse, misuse and diversion. ⋯ Although Embeda seems to be a successful formulation by passing the efficacy trial, safety trial, pharmacokinetic study and abuse liability study, etc., it will require some long-term prospective epidemiological studies to substantiate fully its abuse-deterrent benefit. Embeda represents a new opioid formulation, adding to our arsenal to treat moderate to severe pain and playing its potential role in discouraging opioid abuse, misuse and diversion. Faced with an overwhelmingly expanding public health burden due to prescription opioid abuse, clinicians should always keep in mind the balance of maximizing pain relief and minimizing prescription opioid abuse.
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Expert Opin Pharmacother · Apr 2011
ReviewLubiprostone for the treatment of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction.
Opioid-induced bowel dysfunction (OBD) is a prevalent condition that leads to reduced opioid use, human suffering and a high burden and cost on the healthcare system. Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is the most troublesome aspect of OBD, for which standard laxatives are often ineffective. A major unmet need is effective and safe OIC treatment without inhibiting opioid analgesia or inducing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Recent data indicate that lubiprostone, a locally acting type 2 chloride channel activator, approved for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, may be effective in treating OBD. ⋯ Lubiprostone has potential in treating OBD and deserves additional study. Lubiprostone's ability to promote fluid secretion locally at the apical membrane of intestinal epithelial cells ensures it does not provoke opioid withdrawal or compromise analgesia. Lubiprostone seems safe for long-term use in CIC patients, and a similar safety profile is anticipated in OBD.
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Intravenous fibrinolysis is the only proven treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but a limited therapeutic time window and risk of systemic hemorrhagic limit its real-world effectiveness. Minimally invasive endovascular therapies may provide opportunities to expand the AIS treatment window and enhance clinical outcomes. ⋯ Endovascular therapy has opened up new horizons for treatment of AIS. It offers multiple new and promising therapeutic approaches that are not limited to one specific device or method, but could conceivably be additive and also individualized based upon each patient's characteristics.
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The use of chronic opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain is growing and is now accepted as an effective treatment modality. ⋯ Not much strongly positive data supports the long-term use of opioids for pain relief, and the evidence for an improvement in functional activity is inconclusive. With careful selection of patients, meticulous prescription and monitoring protocol, chronic non-cancer pain patients who are likely to benefit from potent opioids should not be prevented from obtaining this treatment.
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Expert Opin Pharmacother · Apr 2011
ReviewPharmacotherapy for acute pain in children: current practice and recent advances.
Acute pain in children may be undertreated. Improved understanding of developmental neurobiology and paediatric pharmacokinetics should facilitate better management of pharmacotherapy. The objective of this review is to discuss current paediatric practice and recent advances with these analgesic agents by using an evidence-based approach. ⋯ A multimodal analgesic regimen provides better pain control and functional outcome in children. The choice of pharmacological treatment is determined by the severity and type of pain. However, more research and evidence is required to determine the optimal drug combinations.