CDC Reports Increasing Narcotic Deaths
After 4 jolly good meds (Metformin, Hydroxychloroquine, Tofacitinib, Rituximab), meet a golly bad 1: OPIOIDS. It accounts for more deaths in the USA than road accidents and gun violence.
Primary Care Docs the Leading Prescribers of Narcotic Painkillers
While general practitioners in the USA account for the bulk of opioid prescriptions owing to their large numbers, pain specialists lead the pack in terms of prescriptions per prescriber.
Bold bid to rein in painkiller prescriptions hits roadblocks
Alarmed by the rising use and abuse of opioids, and the ease of re-use even in those with previous overdose, the CDC rushed in with “guidelines”, where even the FDA feared to tread. The push-back from big pharma, pain practitioners and patient groups was robust. Sounds like the gun control debate?
ACP Backs New CDC Guideline for Opioids and Chronic Pain
Here’s the ACP lending support to the CDC with some motherhood statements.
Can we curb the opioid abuse epidemic by rethinking chronic pain?
A call for balance in a polarising debate. A call to strengthen patient-physician communication.
DEA’s rescheduling of hydrocodone tied to declines in prescribing
Here’s proof that legislation works, and fast. What’s needed is political will.
Senate Response to Opioid Abuse Could Hit FDA and Drugmakers
So, is the bipartisan political will now saying the FDA is complicit with Big Pharma and Dirty Docs in spawning the narcotics epidemic?
Under Pressure, FDA Adds Measures on Opioid Abuse
Chronic Opioid Use in Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Use of opioids in Fibromyalgia is so wrong. Not only is it proven ineffective for pain relief, it leads to tolerance and addiction, and aggravates FM problems like constipation, mental clouding and sleep disorder. Worse, opioids signal through TLR4 to activate microglia, resulting in neuroinflammation causing hyperalgesia and perpetuating central sensitisation.