Articles: opioid.
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Ongoing opioid analgesic use in patients suffering from chronic nonmalignant pain (CNMP) has been associated with the development of opioid misuse, abuse, addiction, and overdose. To prevent these adverse outcomes, it is important that family nurse practitioners (FNPs) implement recommended risk mitigation practices (RMPs) when treating CNMP patients with opioids. ⋯ Although RMPs are recommended for use in all CNMP patients receiving ongoing opioid therapy, FNPs do not consistently implement them. In the midst of the current opioid epidemic, FNPs must be vigilant about using appropriate opioid prescription practices.
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The term medication-assisted treatment has been widely adopted in reference to the use of opioid agonist therapy. Although it is arguably better than the older terms of replacement or substitution therapy, medication-assisted treatment implies that medications are a corollary to whatever the main part of treatment is. ⋯ It has finally been recognized that to improve care and reduce stigma, we must use medically accurate and person-first language, describing those with the disease of addiction as people with substance use disorder. However, to truly change outcomes, we must also alter the language of treatment.
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Journal of pain research · Jan 2017
Co-prescription of opioids with benzodiazepine and other co-medications among opioid users: differential in opioid doses.
This study investigated the patterns of opioid co-prescription with benzodiazepine and other concomitant medications among opioid users. Opioid dose in each type of co-prescription was also examined. ⋯ Among the opioid users receiving concomitant medications, the co-prescriptions of opioid with benzodiazepine were prescribed to 12.3% of patients, and the individual opioid dose in this co-prescription was moderate. Other co-medications were also commonly used, and their opioid doses were within the recommended dose. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the adverse effect and clinical outcomes of the co-medications particularly in long-term opioid users with chronic non-cancer pain.
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The aim of this study was to assess the phenomenon of episodic breathlessness in advanced cancer patients followed by palliative care services at home. ⋯ This study showed that episodic breathlessness frequently occurs in advanced cancer patients admitted to home care, is severe in intensity, is triggered in most cases by activity, and is characterized by a short duration which requires rapid measures.
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Cannabis Cannabinoid Res · Jan 2017
Cannabis as a Substitute for Opioid-Based Pain Medication: Patient Self-Report.
Introduction: Prescription drug overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Alternatives to opioids for the treatment of pain are necessary to address this issue. Cannabis can be an effective treatment for pain, greatly reduces the chance of dependence, and eliminates the risk of fatal overdose compared to opioid-based medications. ⋯ Ninety-seven percent of the sample "strongly agreed/agreed" that they are able to decrease the amount of opiates they consume when they also use cannabis, and 81% "strongly agreed/agreed" that taking cannabis by itself was more effective at treating their condition than taking cannabis with opioids. Results were similar for those using cannabis with nonopioid-based pain medications. Conclusion: Future research should track clinical outcomes where cannabis is offered as a viable substitute for pain treatment and examine the outcomes of using cannabis as a medication assisted treatment for opioid dependence.