Are opioids an appropriate treatment for chronic nonmalignant pain? Widespread opioid use is questionable.
Opioids can be the best and most appropriate therapy for some patients. However, opioids also pose significant risks in terms of drug diversion and have a lack of demonstrated long-term safety and efficacy. Opioids pose a significant risk to society in terms of potential abuse. For example,...

Pain: the new co-morbidity.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It is generally accepted that mental health disorders and substance use disorders have a substantial impact on each other. There is a major challenge in ensuring that mental health services and drug and alcohol services relate to each other effectively for the benefit of the...

Chronic pain: getting serious.
The Washington, D.C.,-based National Academy of Social Insurance reported in August that workers' compensation benefits payments continued their rise in 2005, excluding data from California. The word from NASI and other sources is that injury frequency continues to drop but severity continues to increase. Central to the...

A prospective, randomised control trial of acupuncture for select common conditions within the Emergency Department.
Abstract A trial was conducted among patients admitted to the Emergency Department of The Northern Hospital, Epping, Melbourne, Australia to assess the potential of acupuncture to reduce waiting times, reduce pain and satisfy the desire of patients to see complementary medicine within mainstream healthcare. 45 patients were...

Patient-controlled analgesia: jury relates patient's death to nursing negligence.
A morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) was started right after amputation of the patient's left lower leg for his pain at the surgical site and for phantom pain. Depression of his mental status and hypotension were detected by his nurses early the next morning, promptly reported to the...

DURECT Establishes Corium as Manufacturer of TRANSDUR(TM)-Bupivacaine.
CUPERTINO, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DURECT Corporation announced today that we have entered into a long term manufacturing and supply agreement with Corium International, Inc. for TRANSDUR(TM)-Bupivacaine, a transdermal pain patch under development for patients suffering from Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (post-shingles pain or PHN). TRANSDUR-Bupivacaine is currently in Phase...

Glenmark to enter Europe with Rs 100 crore buy.
Byline: Gireesh Chandra Prasad MUMBAI: Leading mid-sized pharma company Glenmark Pharmaceuticals would soon enter the European market by acquiring a front-end pharmaceutical company for about Rs 100 crore. Glenmark MD and CEO Glenn Saldanha told ET that the target company is in Central Europe and the deal...

Is IV access necessary for myringotomy with tubes?
Abstract A retrospective chart review was conductedata community-based hospital to determine whether intravenous access is necessary during the performance of myringotomy with tube insertion. The study included 50 pediatric patients divided equally into 2 groups: group 1, who did not have intravenous access established before the procedure,...

Principles and Practice of Palliative Care and Supportive Oncology.
Principles and Practice of Palliative Care and Supportive Oncology (3rd ed.).Ann M. Berger *, John L. Shuster, Jr., and Jamie H. Von Roenn. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2007, 896 pages, $199. Ease of Reference and Content Level Media Size Hardcover Usability Moderate time requirement Intermediate Desk...

Anesiva Announces Clinical Data From Phase 1 Trial of 1207.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Anesiva, Inc. announced today clinical data from a Phase 1 safety study of product candidate 1207, which was being tested as a topical anesthetic for treatment of neuropathic patients. 1207 achieved the primary endpoint of the study of safety and tolerability....