Articles: opioid.
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Given that opioid misuse/abuse and opioid overdose have reached epidemic proportions in the United States, expansion of naloxone access programs are desperately needed. The objective of this study was to describe emerging trends in naloxone rescue kit (NRK) prescription patterns by pharmacists in New Mexico as an example of a unique health care delivery system. ⋯ These results indicate that patients at risk of opioid overdose might feel comfortable soliciting NRKs from a pharmacist. Participation of pharmacists in rural areas in the naloxone prescriptive authority highlight the opportunity for this novel health care delivery model in underserved areas; however, the program is clearly underutilized in these areas. Such a model can provide expanded patient access in community practices, whereas systematic efforts for uptake of the program by policy makers, communities, and pharmacists continue to be needed nationwide.
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Opioid abuse and misuse in the USA is a public health crisis. The use of prescription opioid analgesics increased substantially from 2002 through 2010, then plateaued and began to decrease in 2011. ⋯ The data indicate that these health policies, including the utilization and reimbursement of OADPs, have coincided with decreased opioid utilization. The hypothesis that OADPs will paradoxically increase opioid prescribing is not supported.
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2017
Impact of breakthrough pain on community-dwelling cancer patients: results from the National Breakthrough Pain Study.
To characterize cancer-related breakthrough pain (BTcP) among community-dwelling patients with cancer. ⋯ Results indicate that BTcP among community-dwelling patients with cancer continues to be a health burden and reveals opportunities to improve its management.
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Cannabis Cannabinoid Res · Jan 2017
Cannabis as a Substitute for Opioid-Based Pain Medication: Patient Self-Report.
Introduction: Prescription drug overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Alternatives to opioids for the treatment of pain are necessary to address this issue. Cannabis can be an effective treatment for pain, greatly reduces the chance of dependence, and eliminates the risk of fatal overdose compared to opioid-based medications. ⋯ Ninety-seven percent of the sample "strongly agreed/agreed" that they are able to decrease the amount of opiates they consume when they also use cannabis, and 81% "strongly agreed/agreed" that taking cannabis by itself was more effective at treating their condition than taking cannabis with opioids. Results were similar for those using cannabis with nonopioid-based pain medications. Conclusion: Future research should track clinical outcomes where cannabis is offered as a viable substitute for pain treatment and examine the outcomes of using cannabis as a medication assisted treatment for opioid dependence.
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The aim of this study was to assess the phenomenon of episodic breathlessness in advanced cancer patients followed by palliative care services at home. ⋯ This study showed that episodic breathlessness frequently occurs in advanced cancer patients admitted to home care, is severe in intensity, is triggered in most cases by activity, and is characterized by a short duration which requires rapid measures.