A drug company has reached a $1.4 billion settlement with the U.S. government over an investigation into the company’s marketing and sales of a prescription drug used to treat opioid addiction.
Benzodiazepine monotherapy continues to be used to treat depression despite American Psychiatric Association guidelines, and even in cases of concomitant opioid use.
Two companies have been issued warning letters by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for illegally selling unapproved, misbranded kratom-containing drug products.
Galantamine, which was found to reduce cocaine use in patients treated with methadone for opioid use disorder, may also be effective in reducing the use of nonprescribed opioids in this population.
On average, 45% of callers reporting current heroin use were denied an appointment with a buprenorphine provider. More of those paying cash were offered an appointment, compared with those covered by Medicaid.
The US Food and Drug Administration has provided fast-track approval for the nonclinician use of Evzio, an easy-to-use autoinjectable device with a single dose of naloxone for the reversal of opioid overdose.
Prescription opioid misuse is more common among binge drinkers, with the prevalence of opioid misuse increasing with binge drinking frequency.
Children of parents with opioid use had a 2-fold increased risk for suicide attempts vs children of matched controls.
Only one-third of Philadelphia pharmacies carry naloxone nasal spray and many pharmacies require a physician’s prescription.
The Opioid Safety Initiative has been effective for decreasing opioid prescriptions among patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.
