Articles: opioid.
-
Clin Exp Gastroenterol · Jan 2018
Prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone reduces opioid-induced constipation and improves quality of life in laxative-refractory patients: results of an observational study.
Opioids are an effective treatment for moderate-to-severe pain. However, they are associated with a number of gastrointestinal side effects, most commonly constipation. Laxatives do not target the underlying mechanism of opioid-induced constipation (OIC), so many patients do not have their symptoms resolved. Fixed-dose prolonged-release (PR) oxycodone/naloxone (OXN) tablets contain the opioid agonist oxycodone and the opioid antagonist naloxone. Nal-oxone blocks the action of oxycodone in the gut without compromising its analgesic effects. ⋯ PR OXN reduced symptoms of constipation, improved QoL and reduced laxative intake in patients with OIC. It has a potential place early in any treatment strategy for severe pain in patients using opioids, particularly in patients who may be predisposed to constipation.
-
Addictive behaviors · Jan 2018
Trends in average days' supply of opioid medications in Medicaid and commercial insurance.
To calculate trends in adult average days' supply for six commonly prescribed opioids: hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and tapentadol to assess whether physicians changed prescribing practices at the time of the intensifying epidemic. ⋯ Our results find that days' supply of opioids are increasing despite public health campaigns and media attention on the risks of opioid prescribing. More effective interventions to curb opioid prescribing are needed to reverse these trends.
-
Am J Health Syst Pharm · Dec 2017
Evaluation of opioid prescribing after rescheduling of hydrocodone-containing products.
Institutional prescribing trends of hydrocodone-containing products (HCPs) before and after the Drug Enforcement Administration's rescheduling of HCPs were evaluated. ⋯ The rescheduling of HCPs resulted in a reduction in HCP prescriptions but was accompanied by increases in the use of codeine-containing products and tramadol in all settings.