opioids
Pharmacists have ‘important role’ to play in preventing falls: Gisev
Opioid exposure has been linked to serious fall events in a large Australian study, including among younger adults resulting in ED visits and hospitalisations Prescription opioid use is associated with …
Increased naloxone levels planned for rest of year
Different groups of people are now at risk of opioid overdose, says one expert – but how does this play into the naloxone shortage? “Very tragic” deaths have occurred recently …
‘Substantial’ rise in private scripts for opioids
A decline in PBS dispensing of opioid analgesics has been offset by a marked rise in private scripts, particularly for immediate release formulations, new data shows Opioid use in Australia …
What helped halve oxycodone use?
Oxycodone use almost halved after changes to packaging and prescribing practices were made in 2019, new research has found Dr Rory Verhagen, from UQ’s Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, analysed …
‘Opioid safety is relevant to every pharmacy’
A new opioid safety toolkit launches, with a focus on helping people identify their risks and develop a safety plan Wednesday, 4 September 2024 saw the national launch of the Opioid …
Opioids, antidepressants and adverse events in nursing homes
Pharmacists can provide valuable input for clinicians when it comes to the use of antidepressants and certain opioids, one expert says Researchers set out to investigate the concomitant use of …
‘If these quantities are exceeded inquiries will be made’
It’s July 1914, and the subject of the day is opium – its restriction to therapeutic use, and that of other narcotics “An important new order has been made by …
Qld lawyer receives 252 oxycontin scripts…in less than five months
A lawyer went to a Queensland pharmacy and told the pharmacist he had a note for her to read: a threat that he had a knife and acid, and wanted …
Contaminated cocaine prompts Take Home Naloxone push
Pharmacists are being urged to be proactive in offering Take Home Naloxone after authorities discover opioid-tainted cocaine Concerns over the discovery of white powder containing protonitazene, a synthetic opioid, …
Long-term opioids higher after ED, trauma admissions
Codeine combinations most dispensed after hospital discharge, with some groups revealing higher rates of long-term opioid use, study finds Long-term use of opioids following hospital admission or emergency department (ED) …
An age old problem
Communication – with patients, families and carers, as well as with other health professionals – is key when it comes to managing pain in older people living in residential aged …
‘We hope to pave the way for more pharmacist-researchers’
Many patients are prescribed opioids for hip and knee pain – but can pharmacists help them taper safely before replacement surgery? Two pharmacists have just been awarded a grant to …