Opioid pain relievers can be extremely effective in relieving pain, but can carry a high risk of addiction and ultimately overdose when breathing is suppressed and stops. Scientists have discovered a way to separate these two effects — pain relief and breathing — opening a window of opportunity to make…
Advocates’ Calls for Tougher Rx Pain Meds Resisted
Advocates say the need to curb the abuse of prescription (Rx) opiates is more urgent than ever, due to a growing epidemic of Rx overdoses from pain medication in Massachusetts and across the country, according The Boston Globe. The abuse of prescription painkillers is heavily linked to heroin abuse and…
Adults Who Use Illicit Drugs More Likely to Think About Suicide: Survey
Thoughts of suicide are more common among adults who use illicit drugs, compared with the general population, according to a new government survey. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found 9.4 percent of people using illicit drugs had suicidal thoughts, compared with 3.9 percent of the general…
First Single-Ingredient Hydrocodone Drug Receives FDA Approval
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first pure hydrocodone drug in the United States. The drug, Zohydro ER (extended release), was approved for patients with pain that requires daily, around-the-clock, long-term treatment that cannot be treated with other drugs. Drugs such as Vicodin contain a combination of…