Pain
Conference Coverage
Rimegepant dissolving tablets treat acute migraine in phase 3 trial
PHILADELPHIA – An orally dissolving tablet formulation has significant effects on pain relief and functional ability at 60 minutes post dose.
From the Journals
Direct pharmacy dispensing of naloxone linked to drop in fatal overdoses
But emergency department visits related to opioids increased in new adopters of direct authority laws.
From the Journals
Only 1.5% of individuals at high risk of opioid overdose receive naloxone
“Clinicians can address this gap by regularly prescribing naloxone to eligible patients.”
Conference Coverage
Medical cannabis relieved pain, decreased opioid use in elderly
Medical cannabis was an effective and well-tolerated treatment in an elderly cohort of patients with chronic pain.
News from the FDA/CDC
CDC warns against misuse of opioid-prescribing guideline
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are advising against misapplication of the agency’s guideline on opioid prescribing....
News
FDA to expand opioid labeling with instructions on proper tapering
The label changes are intended to be used when both the clinician and patient have agreed to reduce the opioid dosage.
Conference Coverage
NIH’s HEAL initiative seeks coordinated effort to tackle pain, addiction
MILWAUKEE – The two aims of research under the initiative are to improve treatments for misuse and addiction, and to enhance pain management.
Feature
Report calls for focus on ‘subpopulations’ to fight opioid epidemic
“Methadone, buprenorphine, and extended-release naltrexone ... save lives” but most people with OUD get no treatment, new report says.
Conference Coverage
Opioid overdose risk greater among HIV patients
From the Journals
In California, opioids most often prescribed in low-income, mostly white areas
Opioid-related overdose deaths are highest in low-income white areas.
From the Journals
Age of migraine onset may affect stroke risk
One unexpected finding was that the onset of migraine with aura before age 50 is not associated with ischemic stroke.