Articles related to OPIOIDS

SIVAD Diagnostic Medical Group’s novel drug testing strips, HarmGuard FX, are making strides in harm reduction, beginning in Delaware. These strips, a part of the wider Harm Stopper Program, signal a potential turning point in the battle against the national opioid crisis.

As we grapple with the opioid crisis, this comprehensive study offers crucial insights into the intersection of state medical cannabis laws and chronic noncancer pain treatment, and posits no significant changes in pain treatment due to these laws.

The I-WOTCH trial offers insightful findings on multimodal interventions for opioid-dependent chronic pain patients. Read on for a detailed examination of the trial’s significant impact on patient wellbeing and opioid cessation.

Opvee Reverses Remifentail-induced Respiratory Depression Within 5 Minutes As the opioid crisis continues to evolve, so too does your arsenal of interventions. The FDA’s recent approval of Opvee, a nalmefene-based nasal spray, introduces a new tool for physicians in the fight against opioid overdose.

Understanding Xylazine: The Rising Challenge in Opioid Crisis Management As physicians, it’s crucial to stay informed about emerging drug threats. Xylazine, a powerful livestock tranquilizer mixed into fentanyl, is one such threat that’s gaining momentum.

This case study applies the newly revised CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain to a patient with chronic neck pain. The patient, Joanna, is a 78-year-old woman who has undergone two neck surgeries and experiences worsening pain. Her pain ranges from 6 to 7 on average and can increase up to 8. She has tried various non-pharmacologic modalities, such as heat, ice, TENS, physical therapy, and massage therapy, but insurance limitations and cost have hindered her access to these treatments. Considering Joanna’s medical history, physical therapy and topical analgesics are identified as potential options. However, due to limitations and contraindications with other medications, the only feasible options for her are low-dose acetaminophen and topical analgesics. As a result, initiating a low-dose opioid therapy is considered appropriate, in addition to low-dose acetaminophen, OTC menthol and methyl salicylate cream, and a referral to physical medicine and rehabilitation. Before initiating opioids, the patient’s risk of side effects, including overdose, addiction, constipation, and hypogonadal axis suppression, should be discussed. Joanna’s Risk Index for Overdose or Serious Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression (RIOSORD) score indicates a risk class of 4 out of 7, with a 15% estimated probability of an opioid-induced respiratory depression event […]