prescription opioids
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) …
Opioids, overdose and naloxone: starting the conversation
Risk factors for overdose are surprisingly common among patients taking prescribed opioids, but how can pharmacists best approach conversations around safety and prevention? Sheshtyn Paola investigates Most people know that …
‘The pendulum has swung the other way.’
What factors lead to opioid dependence? Researchers share findings, but warn that limits on pain medication—including paracetamol—may have a major impact on chronic pain With guidelines and restrictions brought in …
Understanding your risk capacity—Part 2
In the second instalment of a series of webinars entitled Understanding Your Risk Capacity, Nicolette Ellis, Gary West, and Dr Brett MacFarlane continue their discussions about measuring, evaluating, and managing …
Understanding your risk capacity—Part 1
Many of us have experienced those heart sinking moments of concern or discomfort when asked to dispense a medicine which we believe is inappropriate or high risk. In this webinar, …
Chronic pain and opioids: Carers must be opioid aware
With opioid literacy an ongoing problem, Carers Australia is urging pharmacists to play a more active role in identifying carers of people relying on opioids for pain relief, and to …
Pharmacist boosts drug safety
A study has found that a pharmacist-led clinic reduced opioid consumption by 15%, while 90% of GPs planned to implement at least one recommendation A study has found positive impacts …
No criticism for treating practitioners
An inquest has found an ACT man died due to morphine toxicity, with signs he was stockpiling his medications A coroner has made an open finding as to the manner …
How does stockpiling, dependence and diversion relate to dose?
A study across patients recruited from Australian community pharmacies has looked at the link between prescribed opioid dose and problematic behaviours Many people stay on opioids for years to treat …
J&J ordered to pay $846 million for role in opioid crisis
The pharmaceutical company says it will appeal the judgement A judge has fined drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and its pharmaceutical subsidiary Janssen US$572 million (AUD$846 million) after finding the …
Who is at risk?
People who use cannabis, both medical or otherwise, are at increased risk of prescription opioid misuse – but medical cannabis users are not at higher risk of disorder A study …