Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy
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Definitions and difficulties relating to managing acute and chronic pain in patients with current or past substance abuse disorders are discussed. Problems with too rapid discontinuation of drugs are described. An interdisciplinary approach involving pain specialists, substance abuse clinicians and mental health professional is advocated.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Mar 2015
New DEA rules expand options for controlled substance disposal.
Prescription drug abuse and overdose are rapidly growing problems in the United States. The United States federal Disposal of Controlled Substances Rule became effective 9 October 2014, implementing the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 (Disposal Act). These regulations target escalating prescription drug misuse by reducing accumulation of unused controlled substances that may be abused, diverted or accidentally ingested. ⋯ Retail pharmacies and hospitals or clinics with an onsite pharmacy may also place and maintain collection receptacles at long-term care facilities. The Act and Rule are intended to increase controlled substance disposal methods and expand local involvement in collection of unused controlled substances. Potential barriers to participating in controlled substance collection include acquisition of suitable collection receptacles and liners, lack of available space meeting the necessary criteria, lack of employee time for verification and inventory requirements, and program costs.
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Over the last few decades, advances have been made in the understanding of myofascial pain syndromes (MPSs). In spite of its high prevalence in the society, it is not a commonly established diagnosis. MPS is said to be the great imitator. This article puts some light on the various clinical presentations of the syndrome, on the various tools to reach to a diagnosis for commencing the treatment and on the treatment modalities that have been used so far.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Mar 2015
Case ReportsAmbulatory continuous interscalene blocks for cancer pain.
Continuous peripheral nerve blocks are used in the management of pain following surgical procedures. They can also be used in patients with cancer-related pain, to improve sleep quality, reduce opioid requirements and their side effects. We describe two cancer patients in whom interscalene brachial plexus catheters were used on an outpatient basis, allowing them to travel, decrease their opioid use, and improve their ability to perform routine activities.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Mar 2015
Case ReportsPatient-tailored combinations of systemic and topical preparations for localized peripheral neuropathic pain: a two-case report.
This report describes two patients with peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP): a 43-year-old man with upper leg PNP and a 75-year-old woman with post herpetic neuralgia of the perineum and vagina. Pain was inadequately managed in both patients for a long time. ⋯ The second patient achieved optimal pain control with dipyrone (500 mg three times per day), pregabalin (150 mg twice a day), dextromethorphan (60 mg three times per day), plus topical compounds (10% ketamine, 0.3% clonidine, 5% diclofenac) in a penetrating enhancing gel. Notably, the individualized approach described herein was made possible through collaboration between a public health pain specialist and a private sector compounding pharmacist, highlighting the importance of such infrequent but, highly desirable collaborations.