benzodiazepines
Prescription drug deaths soar
Drug-induced deaths are at their highest rate since the late ’90s, new data from the ABS shows – but the profile of such deaths is very different “There were 1,808 …
True opioid killer revealed
New research has revealed the hidden killer behind the prescription opioid epidemic New research published by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre found Australians may opt for secrecy rather …
Pharmacy robbed with ‘Samurai sword’
A pharmacist was threatened with a “Samurai sword” in a western Sydney pharmacy robbery yesterday At around 3.15pm, a man entered the Centre Pharmacy at South Strathfield and demanded drugs …
Research Roundup
Debbie Rigby rounds up the latest in research news Benzodiazepines, Z-drugs and the risk of hip fracture There is strong evidence that both BNZ and Z-drugs are associated with an …
Research Roundup
Debbie Rigby rounds up the latest in research news Stability of repackaged dabigatran etexilate capsules in dose administration aids Removal of dabigatran (Pradaxa) capsules from their original packaging is not …
How to reduce dependency on drugs like Valium with alternative therapies
Benzodiazepines are prescribed for anxiety, but can cause more problems than they solve, argues Ben O’Mara Ben O’Mara, Adjunct Research Fellow, Swinburne University of Technology Benzodiazepines (such as Valium and Xanax) …
Benzo stroke risk in Alzheimer’s patients
Benzodiazepines and related drugs increase stroke risk among persons with Alzheimer’s disease Use of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like drugs has been associated with a 20% increased risk of stroke among persons …
GP struck off for overprescribing drugs of addiction
A NSW doctor has had her registration cancelled for repeatedly prescribing large amounts of opioids and benzodiazepines to drug-seeking patients The GP, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has …
Overdose victim’s file: ‘Dr shopper, please do not prescribe anything’
A Victorian coroner has said she hopes Real Time Prescription Monitoring will help prevent cases such as that of Milica “Mary” Minchev, who died from combined drug toxicity involving oxycodone, …
FDA warning on opioids and benzos
The US Food and Drug Administration is adding Boxed Warnings – its strongest warnings – to the drug labelling of all prescription opioid pain medicines, prescription opioid cough medicines, and …
Labels don’t reduce medicine-related crashes: study
A study examining the effectiveness of colour-graded pictogram labels has concluded that they don’t work to reduce medicine-related traffic crashes. The study, published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, …
Weekly Dose: Valium, the ‘safer choice’ that led to dependence and addiction
Weekly Dose: Valium, the ‘safer choice’ that led to dependence and addiction Moira Sim, Edith Cowan University Valium is a brand name for diazepam, which belongs to a group of …