Participants with opioid dependence receiving subcutaneously administered depot buprenorphine have improved treatment satisfaction compared with those receiving sublingual buprenorphine.
The study authors examined the risk of mortality in opioid-exposed infants, and whether mortality is associated with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS).
Existing patients receiving opioid analgesics and buprenorphine for opioid use disorder have continued to receive medications during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Opioid overdose deaths increased during the pandemic, possibly due to less access to care. The study researchers examined how the pandemic affected patients already prescribed opioids as well as new patients.
In addition to these strong recommendations, other recommendations from the guideline development group include provision of advice prior to surgery relating to the expected duration and severity of pain.
This guideline, developed in partnership with the Royal College of Physicians, is aimed at health care professionals, commissioners, and providers of services; people with chronic primary or secondary pain; and the families of chronic pain patients.
Eligible practitioners who are licensed and registered to prescribe controlled substances are now exempt from certain statutory certification requirements related to training, counseling, and other ancillary services for prescribing buprenorphine.
While there are concerns about long-term prescribed opioid use among individuals with chronic noncancer pain, until now there hasn’t been a study which investigated whether the same patients engage in a risky pattern of use in the long term.
Experts examine medication management in older adults, including the use of antidepressants for patients with Alzheimer disease and the dangers of opioid prescribing.
