Category: Pain Medicine
Attorneys general seek warning label cautioning pregnant women against using pain pills
Nationally, about 13,500 infants were born with drug withdrawal symptoms in 2009, about one baby each hour, according to a 2012 study from the Journal of the American Medical Association.
FDA warns pregnant women to not use certain migraine prevention medicines
Valproate medications include valproate sodium (Depacon), divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote CP, and Depakote ER), valproic acid (Depakene and Stavzor), and their generics should never be used by pregnant women for the prevention of migraines, FDA warns.
Accidental poisonings leading cause of deaths at home
“The increases in poisoning, largely due to prescription pain medication, have been most dramatic over the past decade, signaling a need to rethink how pain medications are prescribed and used,”
Washington state moves to address epidemic of prescription painkiller overdose deaths – BMJ
A feature article on efforts in Washington state to address the epidemic of prescription painkiller overdose deaths by LocalHealthGuide editor Michael McCarthy appears this week in the BMJ, the journal of the British Medical Society.
End-of-life discussions lead to less aggressive care, more use of hospice
Patients who had end-of-life care discussions early were much less likely to receive aggressive care and more likely to receive hospice care.
UW researchers seek volunteers for fibromyalgia study
UW researchers are looking for men and women with fibromyalgia to participate in trial to compare of a drug treatment with or without behavioral treatment and a placebo with or without behavioral treatment..
Evidence does not back-up spinal manipulation for acute lower back pain
Spinal manipulation, often used by chiropractors and osteopaths, is no more effective than exercise, NSAIDs or other physical therapy to treat acute lower back pain, according to a review of 20 randomized controlled trials involving 2,674 patients with lower back pain
Deaths involving prescription painkillers and cocaine decline in King County
Overall, drug overdose deaths in King County are down to 231 in 2011 from a peak of 286 in 2006.
American Pain Foundation shuts down as senators launch investigation of prescription narcotics
The group received 90 percent of its $5 million in funding in 2010 from the drug and medical-device industry, and its guides for patients, journalists and policymakers had played down the risks associated with opioid painkillers while exaggerating the benefits.
Nearly 600,000 bottles of Infants’ Tylenol recalled
Infants’ Tylenol Oral Suspension, 1 oz. Grape, recalled after consumers reported difficulty using the product’s dosing system.
Viewpoint: Exploring effective pain relief options
The Seattle Times series on methadone deaths highlights the drawbacks of drug treatment for pain and the need to explore alternative approaches, writes Bill Scott.
State to issue warning on opioid risks — Seattle Times
Following an series of articles in the Seattle Times drawing attention to the high death rate among patients taking methadone. Washington state will issue a public health advisory that singles out the unique risks of methadone, a commonly prescribed pain medicine that’s linked to the most accidental overdose deaths.
Seattle Times investigates Washington state’s methadone policy
The Seattle Times has launched an investigative series on Washington state’s policy towards the use of the pain killer methadone for the treatment of chronic pain. The paper argues the drug is dangerously unpredictable and responsible for the deaths of hundreds, particularly among the poor.
Physicians strongly favor larger role for palliative care — poll
96 percent responding that they believe enhancing the quality of life for seriously ill patients is more important than extending life as long as possible.
Cutting through ICU confusion
Every year more than 5 million people in the U.S. are treated in ICUs. For patients, family and friends, the ICU experience is often emotional and confusing. Here are some tips to help you cope.
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