Articles: opioid.
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J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open · Dec 2020
Leftover narcotic analgesics among emergency department patients and methods of disposal.
Given the increase in narcotic addiction and diversion, understanding how patients use their opioid prescriptions and store or dispose of any remainders is important. We set out to determine the frequency in which patients had leftover opioid quantities from prescriptions received in the emergency department (ED). In addition, we sought to describe patients' reasons for taking or not taking all of their prescribed medications and their strategies to manage and/or dispose of any excess or leftovers. ⋯ A majority of patients discharged from the emergency department have leftover opioids, and almost all of these leftover medications were not disposed of or stored in compliance with US Food and Drug Administration recommendations. Future research to determine what interventions could increase proper storage and disposal of leftover opioids is recommended.
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Medical acupuncture · Dec 2020
Acupuncture As a Potential Opioid-Sparing Pain Management Intervention for Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment.
Background: High-symptom burdens, including pain, are associated with high-dose chemotherapy. Objective: We conducted a pilot study to evaluate how acupuncture may affect symptom burden and use of pain medication. Design: This is a randomized sham acupuncture (SA) controlled trial. ⋯ Blinding: Investigators and study participants were blinded. Conclusion: Further study of acupuncture in a larger trial is warranted for its effect on reducing opioid use and symptom burdens during high-dose chemotherapy. Registration: NCT01811862.
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Adolescent opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose have emerged as national health crises. Nearly 17% of high school students have misused prescription opioids. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reach and acceptability of a widely-used prescription opioid misuse prevention program, This Is (Not) About Drugs© (TINAD), and its preliminary efficacy at improving opioid misuse knowledge, opioid misuse attitudes, self-efficacy to avoid opioid misuse, and intentions to misuse opioids. ⋯ TINAD is acceptable and shows promise for improving opioid-related cognitions. However, more rigorous experimental and longitudinal research is needed to understand whether TINAD reduces opioid misuse over time. Given the limited research on adolescent opioid misuse prevention, this study lays the ground work for future randomized control trials.
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To test the association between self-reported opioid disposal education and self-reported disposal of leftover opioids among older adults. ⋯ In this nationally representative survey, 49% had leftover opioids, yet only 20% of older adults reported disposal of leftover opioids. Opioid disposal education was variable in delivery, but was associated with disposal behaviors among certain populations. Strategies to promote disposal should integrate patient education on the risks of leftover opioid medications and explore additional barriers to accessing opioid disposal methods.