Opioid

As part of its public health mission, FDA has been monitoring for adverse effects from opioids and opioid-like substances for years. Two recent examples of concern are loperamide and kratom.

Researchers have developed a machine-learning algorithm that can predict opioid use disorder in patients prior to clinical diagnosis, according to a study published in Pharmacology Research & Perspectives.

Opioid use among older Medicare beneficiaries dropped during a recent 4-year period, but a “substantial” number of these individuals were considered chronic and heavy opioid users, researchers wrote.

Prescription opioid use appeared to increase risk for depression, according to results of a mendelian randomization analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Methylnaltrexone can effectively treat opioid-induced constipation in patients, including those with cancer, according to research to be presented at the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine’s annual meeting.

Psychiatrists can play an important role in addressing the opioid crisis by optimizing medication-assisted treatment, according to a presenter at the NEI Max Virtual Conference.

High school students with nonmedical opioid misuse may have an increased risk for heroin use later in life, according to research published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine.

A new virtual reality training program could help educate the public on how to respond to an opioid overdose, including how to properly use naloxone, according to research published Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Preoperative fascia iliaca compartment blocks were associated with decreased postoperative pain and opioid consumption while improving functional recovery in older patients with proximal femur fractures, according to presented results.

A program implemented in Kentucky — one of the states hit hardest by the opioid epidemic — provided “proof of concept” that infectious disease providers can help treat patients with opioid use disorder, researchers reported at IDWeek.