Articles: opioid.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jun 2016
ReviewDrug Formulation Advances in Extended-Release Medications for Pain Control.
Prescription opioid abusers frequently tamper with opioid tablets in order to either accelerate the delivery of the euphoria-inducing agent or to alter the route of delivery, such that it may be delivered intranasally or intravenously. As one strategy to combat the opioid epidemic in the USA, drug manufacturers have begun to explore formulations which resist such tampering by abusers. ⋯ Recent years have seen the development of numerous extended-release opioid agents, which are described in this review. This article provides a comprehensive summary of the pharmacology, benefits, risks, and processes behind the development of currently available extended-release opioid drugs, as well as a glimpse into promising future formulations.
-
Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Jun 2016
Multicenter StudyTrends in analgesic exposures reported to Texas Poison Centers following increased regulation of hydrocodone.
In October 2014, the Drug Enforcement Administration reclassified hydrocodone to schedule II, increasing regulations on use. The impact of rescheduling hydrocodone on opioid exposures is unclear, especially in states with special restrictions required for prescribing schedule II agents. ⋯ The increased regulation was temporally associated with decreased hydrocodone exposures reported to Texas Poison Centers.
-
Practice Guideline
ACMT Position Statement: The Use of Methadone as an Analgesic.
-
To determine the median effective concentration (EC50) of remifentanil during targeted-controlled infusion for smooth tracheal extubation during emergence from total intravenous anesthesia in elderly patients. ⋯ Target infusion of remifentanil at 0.94 ng/mL could effectively inhibit tracheal extubation-related cough response and cardiovascular responses in 50% of the female elderly patients without delaying recovery from anesthesia, which could ensure smooth tracheal extubation during emergence from anesthesia.
-
In line with the increased life expectancy of people in Germany, the probability of falling ill with a malignant disease is continuously increasing. About 480,000 people in Germany contract cancer every year. One of the most important symptoms of a malignant disease is pain. Between 40 and 100% of patients with advanced cancer suffer from pain. The aim of this investigation is to show how German general practitioners care for these patients using analgetics. ⋯ Most GPs in Germany follow the principles of WHO structured pain therapy. However, further improvement of the results may be achieved through intensive training of colleagues.