25 percent fewer opioid-related deaths in states allowing medical marijuana
On average, states allowing the medical use of marijuana have lower rates of deaths resulting from opioid analgesic overdoses than states without such laws. Opioid analgesics, such as OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin, are prescribed for moderate to severe pain, and work by suppressing a person’s perception of pain. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - August 25, 2014 Category: Science Source Type: news
Opioid use prior to spine surgery linked to diminished patient reported outcomes
The use of opioid pain relievers (prescription medications, such as Percocet) have been linked to less improvement and higher levels of dissatisfaction following spine surgery, a study finds. "We have demonstrated that increasing amounts of preoperative opioid consumption may have a harmful effect on patient reported outcomes in those undergoing spinal surgery," said study's lead author. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - June 12, 2014 Category: Science Source Type: news
Opioid use prior to spine surgery linked to diminished patient reported outcomes
(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) A new study appearing in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery links the use of opioid pain relievers (prescription medications, such as Percocet) to less improvement and higher levels of dissatisfaction following spine surgery. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - June 12, 2014 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
Drug users switch to heroin because it's cheap, easy to get
Drug users are attracted to heroin not only for the “high,” but because it is less expensive and easier to get than prescription painkillers, a nationwide survey of heroin users indicate. Researchers have found that many suburban drug users have made the switch. "In the past, heroin was a drug that introduced people to narcotics," said the principal investigator. "But what we're seeing now is that most people using heroin begin with prescription painkillers such as OxyContin, Percocet or Vicodin, and only switch to heroin when their prescription drug habits get too expensive." (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - May 28, 2014 Category: Science Source Type: news
Report: More than 300K seniors addicted to prescription drugs
Drugs include narcotic painkillers such as Percocet, Vicodin and anti-anxiety medicines like Xanax, Valium (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)
Source: Health News: CBSNews.com - May 21, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Blue Cross Combatting Opiate Addiction By Lowering Prescription Counts
BOSTON (CBS) – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is battling back against a growing concern with opiate abuse.
The insurer has become the first in the region, and possibly in the country, to cut back on prescribing popular pain medications.
Executives say prescription painkillers are too easily accessible for patients.
So, under the plan, most patients get an initial 15-day prescription with just one refill, which is much less than in previous years.
“The program is to make sure people get the pain medication they need and get the right amount of those pain medications,” Blue Cross Chief Physician John Fal...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - April 8, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: steve saleeba Tags: Health Heard On WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Local Syndicated Local Watch Listen Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts opiates OxyContin Percocet Source Type: news
Xartemis XR (Oxycodone Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen Extended-Release) - updated on RxList
(Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs)
Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs - March 28, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news
ER use of narcotic painkillers up almost 50 percent
Powerful, addictive drugs like OxyContin and Percocet are being used when other medicines might do the trick (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)
Source: Health News: CBSNews.com - March 22, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Dramatic increase reported in opioid prescriptions during emergency department visits over the last decade
This report was published in the journal Academic Emergency Medicine."This trend is especially concerning given dramatic increases in opioid-related overdoses and fatalities in recent years," said Maryann Mazer-Amirshahi, M.D. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - March 17, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Pain / Anesthetics Source Type: news
Significant increase in painkillers prescribed to US adults visiting emergency departments
Researchers report dramatic increases in prescriptions of opioid analgesics, such as Percocet, Vicodin, oxycodone and Dilaudid, during U.S. emergency department visits from 2001 to 2010. These findings were not explained by higher visit rates for painful conditions, which only increased modestly during the time period. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - March 14, 2014 Category: Science Source Type: news
Significant increase in painkillers prescribed to U.S. adults visiting emergency departments
Researchers report dramatic increases in prescriptions of opioid analgesics, such as Percocet, Vicodin, oxycodone and Dilaudid, during U.S. emergency department visits from 2001 to 2010. These findings were not explained by higher visit rates for painful conditions, which only increased modestly during the time period. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - March 14, 2014 Category: Science Source Type: news
FDA Approves First ER Oxycodone Acetaminophen ComboFDA Approves First ER Oxycodone Acetaminophen Combo
The combination drug, formerly known as MNK-795, is approved for acute pain severe enough to require opioid treatment and for whom alternatives are ineffective. FDA Approvals (Source: Medscape Neurology and Neurosurgery Headlines)
Source: Medscape Neurology and Neurosurgery Headlines - March 13, 2014 Category: Neurology Tags: Neurology & Neurosurgery News Alert Source Type: news
Questions after Total Abdominal Hysterectomy – Echoe ’ s Story
I had a T.A.H. (total abdominal hysterectomy – ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix- as well as removal of 4cm cyst) via robotic laparoscopic procedure on the 17th of October – 4 small incisions in belly, discharged from hospital on the 18th. The spot that has been noticeably painful is the incision in my belly button. Due to lack of help at home, there have been several occasions where I bent down (didn’t use legs – didn’t think of it) to pick up something small from the floor, look under the bed, or load the dishwasher
I’ve mostly stayed down since arriving home. Since coming home, the pai...
Source: The Hysterectomy Association - October 22, 2013 Category: OBGYN Authors: Linda Parkinson-Hardman Tags: Health cysts hysterectomy stories total abdominal hysterectomy Source Type: news
Questions after Total Abdominal Hysterectomy – Echoe ’ s Story
I had a T.A.H. (total abdominal hysterectomy – ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix- as well as removal of 4cm cyst) via robotic laparoscopic procedure on the 17th of October – 4 small incisions in belly, discharged from hospital on the 18th. The spot that has been noticeably painful is the incision in my belly button. Due to lack of help at home, there have been several occasions where I bent down (didn’t use legs – didn’t think of it) to pick up something small from the floor, look under the bed, or load the dishwasher
I’ve mostly stayed down since arriving home. Since coming home, the pai...
Source: The Hysterectomy Association - October 22, 2013 Category: OBGYN Authors: Linda Parkinson-Hardman Tags: Health cysts hysterectomy stories total abdominal hysterectomy Source Type: news
Novel Extended-Release Opioid Formulation Deters AbuseNovel Extended-Release Opioid Formulation Deters Abuse
Tamper-resistant extended-release oxycodone-acetaminophen formulation is less 'likable' when crushed. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - September 9, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology & Neurosurgery News Source Type: news
