Addiction Medicine
From the Journals
Racial, economic disparities found in buprenorphine prescriptions
Black patients and patients without private health insurance are less likely to receive a buprenorphine prescription for opioid use disorder.
Commentary
Overdoses are driving down life expectancy
The average life expectancy in the United States declined from 78.9 years in 2014 to 78.6 years in 2017.
From the Journals
Only 1.5% of individuals at high risk of opioid overdose receive naloxone
“Clinicians can address this gap by regularly prescribing naloxone to eligible patients.”
Conference Coverage
Outpatient program successfully tackles substance use and chronic pain
MILWAUKEE – Pain and substance use issues are frequently comorbid in the military health population.
Feature
EU authorization recommended for buprenorphine implant
The recommendation for marketing authorization is an intermediary step on the way to making the opioid use disorder treatment, called Sixmo,...
From the Journals
Deadly overlap of fentanyl and stimulants on the rise
The combination of fentanyl and either cocaine or methamphetamine may help explain increasing overdoses related to those stimulants.
News from the FDA/CDC
CDC warns against misuse of opioid-prescribing guideline
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are advising against misapplication of the agency’s guideline on opioid prescribing....
Opinion
Teen e-cigarette use: A public health crisis
Age-appropriate screening in primary care settings must include specific language regarding the use of electronic cigarettes, with questions about...
News
FDA approves generic naloxone spray for opioid overdose treatment
The agency said the naloxone nasal spray does not need assembly and can be used by anyone, regardless of medical training.
News
FDA to expand opioid labeling with instructions on proper tapering
The label changes are intended to be used when both the clinician and patient have agreed to reduce the opioid dosage.
Conference Coverage
NIH’s HEAL initiative seeks coordinated effort to tackle pain, addiction
MILWAUKEE – The two aims of research under the initiative are to improve treatments for misuse and addiction, and to enhance pain management.