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 Pain Treatment Topics associates continuously scan news media, medical journals, and other information resources for news and research of interest and importance to the field. Generally, items are selected on the basis of their relevance for everyday clinical practice.
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News/Research UPDATES 2011-2012
UPDATES 2012...
UPDATES 2011...
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News/Research UPDATES Issues 2012...
May 2012 
Early Care for Low-Back Pain is Essential 5/18
Do Short-Acting Opioids Affect Sex Hormones Less? 5/17
Neuropathy Inadequately Diagnosed & Treated 5/16
Is Misuse of Meds by Pain Patients Rampant? 5/11
Sad News: American Pain Foundation Closes Down 5/9
New Survey: Half of U.S. Adults Have Chronic Pain 5/3
Fallacies of Evidence in Pain Research 5/2
May 2012 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings 5/1
Rotigotine transdermal system (Neupro) approved for RLS; adalimumab (Humira) European approval for colitis; fentanyl patch safety alert; proton pump inhibitor (PPI) alert for C. difficile-associated diarrhea; Savella and Neurontin added to FDA Watch list; morphine sulfate injectable recall.
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April 2012
Mixed Results in Review of Botox for Headaches 4/28
Treatments for Sciatica Pain Disappointing 4/27
Cancer Patients Still Undertreated for Pain 4/21
Opium, Opioids & Death: Sophistry vs Science 4/19
Lethal Cocktails: Alcohol, Sedatives, & Opioids 4/14
Is Acupuncture Just a “Meaningful Placebo”? 4/12
New Perspectives on Safer Opioid Rotation 4/5
Do Antidepressants Help Osteoarthritis Pain? 4/5
Part 4: Tales From the Trenches in the War on Pain 4/3
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March 2012
Benefits vs Risks of Meds for IBS Assessed 3/29
Report Warns of Yoga-Induced Spinal Fractures 3/28
Long-Term Analgesic Misuse After Short-Term Rx? 3/24
Surprising Public Perceptions of Fibromyalgia 3/23
SAMHSA TIP on Pain & Addiction: Reader Beware 3/22
An Ugly Truth: Headache and Suicide Attempts 3/15
Articles Dissect the Panicky War on Rx-Opioids 3/13
Low-Dose Naltrexone Eases Fibromyalgia Pain 3/7
Beers List: Analgesics to Avoid in Older Adults 3/6
Cardiac Risks of NSAIDs Revisited 3/6
Guidance on Polymyalgia Rheumatica Released 3/3
Vitamin D Relieves Menstrual Pain 3/2
Pain Research Going to the Dogs! 3/1
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February 2012
“Proof” in Pain Research: How Much is Enough? 2/24
Naloxone Saves Lives, But Pain Patients Left Out 2/21
Fibromyalgia & Obesity: Enough Already! 2/16
Knees Hurt? Get a Massage. 2/15
Is Opioid Craving a Curse of Chronic Pain Care? 2/10
New Views on Opioid Equivalency 2/8
Large Study Finds Obesity and Pain Linked 2/2
Part 3: Tales From the Trenches in the War on Pain 2/1
February 2012 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings 2/1
Fentanyl sublingual spray (Subsys) approved for breakthrough cancer pain; FDA safety alert regarding Endo/Novartis opioid product packaging problems; natalizumab (Tysabri) FDA safety alert; FDA approval of TIRF REMS program.
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January 2012
Do Women Feel Greater Pain Than Men? 1/28
CAM Under Attack! 1/27
More About Yoga for Pain, and Its Harms 1/19
Unique Uses of Naltrexone in Chronic Pain 1/18
Chronic Pain Prolongs Postsurgical Pain 1/14
Could High-Dose Opioids Conquer Chronic Pain? 1/13
Fibromyalgia Linked to Deficient Vitamin D 1/12
Chiropractic or Exercise Tops Meds for Neck Pain 1/6
Harms of Epidural Steroid Injections Examined 1/5
What’s Really Driving Opioid-Related Death Rates? 1/1
Acupuncture a Dud for Pain, But Evidence is Weak 1/1
Pain Education in Medical Schools Lacking 1/1
January 2012 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings 1/1
New, extended-release oxymorphone (Opana ER) crush-resistant formulation; generic morphine sulfate ER (Kadian equivalent) approved.
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News/Research UPDATES Issues 2011...
December 2011
“Hit Parade” of the Top 10 UPDATES for 2011 12/23
Pain Research: Differences That Make a Difference 12/17
Opioids for Chronic Abdominal Pain? 12/16
Safely Buying Pain Meds Online 12/14
Part 2: Tales From the Trenches in the War on Pain 12/13
Washington State Pain Crisis — a Bellwether? 12/9
Swearing to Beat Pain – Dubious Science Revisited 12/8
More About Vitamin D3, Rather Than D2, for Pain 12/7
Acute & Cancer Pain Shamefully Undertreated 12/2
Tales From the Trenches in the War on Pain 12/1
December 2011 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings 12/1
Bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension (Exparel) approved for postsurgical pain; onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX) approved by Health Canada for chronic migraine prophylaxis; TNF Blockers, azathioprine, and/or mercaptopurine FDA safety update; duloxetine (Cymbalta) approval denied in Europe for chronic musculoskeletal pain.
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November 2011
Beware of Staggered Acetaminophen Overdose 11/25
Are Vitamin D3 or D2 Supplements Best? 11/25
FDA to Ponder Naloxone for Overdose Rescue 11/22
Can Cancer Specialists Treat Pain Effectively? 11/18
Low Vitamin D Hinders Spine Health 11/18
Is the Shocking Prevalence of Chronic Pain True? 11/17
Analgesics, Falls, & Fractures in the Elderly 11/11
Does Ginger Help to Relieve Pain? 11/10
Study Finds NSAIDs Linked to Miscarriage 11/9
Are Opioid Pain Reliever Deaths an Epidemic? 11/5
Yoga Tops Usual Care for Low Back Pain 11/3
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October 2011
Midazolam for Back Pain: When Data Are Not Proof 10/26
Do Yoga or Stretching Exercises Aid Back Pain? 10/26
More Myths About High-Dose Opioids & Death 10/21
Influences of Exercise on Chronic Pain Examined 10/21
More People Turning to Clinical Massage for Pain 10/21
Does Exercise Prevent Migraines as Good as Meds? 10/14
Conservative Rxing of Pain Medications Advised 10/12
Do Opioids Increase Pneumonia Risk? 10/8
Oral Steroids Tied to Severe Vitamin D Deficiency 10/5
Naloxone: Still an Overlooked Overdose Solution 10/1
Placebo by Proxy: How Does It Affect Pain Care? 10/1
October 2011 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings 10/1
Infliximab (Remicade) approved for pediatric ulcerative colitis; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa) blocker safety warning; ondansetron (Zofran) safety warning.
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September 2011
What’s Gone Wrong with Pain Management? 9/23
Electroacupuncture Ineffective for Neuropathy 9/22
Myth-Representations of Opioids & Their Risks 9/16
Chondroitin for Hand Osteoarthritis? Maybe Not. 9/16
What Works Best for Acute Pain? Evidence Review. 9/10
Vitamin D Helps Relieve Pain in Breast Cancer, Study 9/9
Is Aspirin a First-Line Therapy for Headache? 9/6
PENS for Superficial Neuropathic Pain Tested 9/2
Rules Hurt Patients with Pain in Washington State 9/1
September 2011 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings 9/1
Tapentadol extended-release tablets (Nucynta) approved for chronic pain; subcutaneous abatacept (Orencia) approved for rheumatoid arthritis; citalopram hydrobromide (Celexa) safety warning.
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August 2011
ASAM Redefines Addiction as a Brain Disease 8/26
Disparities of Pain and Its Treatment in Women 8/25
A Reasonable Plan for Medicinal Marijuana? 8/24
Banish the Deceptive Label “Drug Abuse” 8/18
Homeopathy in Pain Practice!? 8/16
Abuse-Deterrent Opioids; A Better Mousetrap? 8/12
Summary of IOM Report, Relieving Pain in America 8/12
Promises & Perils of Power in Pain Research 8/10
Beware of Drug Interactions With Pain Meds 8/4
Study Distorts Teen Misuse of Rx Pain Meds 8/3
August 2011 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings 8/3
Fentanyl nasal spray (Lazanda) approved for cancer pain; mesalamine (Lialda) approved for ulcerative colitis remission maintenance; acetaminophen (Extra Strength Tylenol) maximum daily dosing change & recall; Actiq and Fentora REMS released.
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July 2011
A Burgeoning Klatch of Science Skeptics 7/29
Stop Torture in Health Care: Treat the Pain 7/27
The ‘Big Esses’ of Pain Research: SD, SEM, SMD 7/22
Brain Changes Wrought by Opioid Analgesics 7/22
Postsurgical Pain Undertreated in Most Patients 7/15
Does Feverfew-Ginger Combo Ease Migraine Pain? 7/15
The Language of Pain Can Make a Big Difference 7/14
Project Lazarus: Solving Opioid Problems Sensibly 7/9
NSAIDs Linked to Serious Heart Arrhythmia 7/8
Study: Massage Tops Meds for Lower Back Pain 7/8
More About Chronic Pain, Opioids, & Suicide 7/1
Chronic Pain in America is a National Disgrace 7/1
July 2011 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings 7/1
Tamper-resistant oxycodone (Oxecta) approved; painful fissure ointment (Rectiv) approved; proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) class safety alert; oxycodone/acetaminophen tablets (Endocet) recalled; two combination products (butalbital-APAP-caffeine and hydrocodone bitartrate-APAP) recalled; Tylenol caplets safety recall.
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June 2011
Common Treatments Fail to Relieve Chronic Pain 6/24
Misuse of Rx Pain Relievers by Young Adults 6/24
Does Vitamin D Relieve Pain in the Elderly? 6/24
Magnetic Stimulation Therapy Aids Fibromyalgia 6/23
Meditation Works Through Brain to Soothe Pain 6/16
CAM Therapies for Fibromyalgia Reviewed 6/15
More About The FDA’s Opioid-REMS “Experiment” 6/15
Placebo Effects Foster Headache Therapy Success 6/11
At Odds with “Odds Ratios” in Pain Research 6/7
Radiofrequency Therapy Relieves Pain of Chronic OA in the Knee 6/3
Treating Back Pain Reverses Brain Abnormalities 6/2
June 2011 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings 6/1
Ibuprofen and famotidine tablets (Duexis) approved; Bayer advanced aspirin available; intranasal ketorolac (Sprix Nasal Spray) now available.
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May 2011
Positive Reinforcement Boosts Analgesic Effects 5/27
Women, Pain Relievers, & Suicide: An Epidemic? 5/26
Hand Pain? Cross Your Arms to Confuse the Brain. 5/25
Naltrexone Reduces Symptoms of Crohn's Disease 5/25
Risks of Misinterpreting “Risk” in Pain Research 5/20
Homeopathy for Arthritis: Help, Harm, or Hoax? 5/19
NSAIDs Deadly for Heart Attack Survivors? 5/13
Factors in Opioid-Rx Noncompliance Examined 5/13
Florida Faces Challenges of Pervasive Pain 5/12
Activity vs Disability in Low-Back Pain Assessed 5/7
Acetaminophen the Most Perilous Analgesic? 5/6
Pain Research: Confidence in Confidence Intervals 5/1
Will Opioid Prescribers Comply with REMS? 5/1
Do NSAIDs Reduce the Effectiveness of Antidepressants? 5/1
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April 2011
Overcoming Barriers to Managing Fibromyalgia 4/22
Why Peppermint Placates IBS Pain 4/21
U.S. FDA Releases Long-Awaited Opioid-REMS 4/20
Pain Research: The Insignificance of “Significance” 4/15
NSAIDs, Opioids, & Fracture Risk in the Elderly 4/15
Chorionic Gonadotropin Soothes Intractable Pain? 4/14
Antiepileptic Drugs for Fibromyalgia Reviewed 4/8
Do Higher Rx-Opioid Doses Raise Death Risks? 4/7
Is Buprenorphine Effective for Chronic Pain? 4/6
Validity, Reliability, & Bias in Pain Research 4/1
Review Raises Doubts About Acupuncture for Pain 4/1
April 2011 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings 4/1
Shingles vaccine (Zostavax) age indication expanded; topiramate safety alert; Embeda capsules recalled; OTC proton pump inhibitor (PPI) safety warning modified.
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March 2011
Pain Research: All That Glitters is Not Gold 3/25
'Surgeon Enthusiasm' Increases Low Back Surgeries 3/24
Could New Opioid Regs Lead to a Tsunami of Heroin? 3/24
How to Make Practical Sense of Pain Research 3/18
Lumbar Fusion Surgery for Back Pain Questioned 3/18
Is Patient Informed Consent in Pain Care Neglected? 3/17
Manipulative Therapy for Low-Back Pain Reviewed 3/11
Source of Migraine Pain: Superficial Vasodilation 3/10
CDC Study Ties Opioid Analgesics to Birth Defects 3/10
New Research Links NSAIDs to Erectile Dysfunction 3/4
Biased UDT Research Distorts Opioid Misuse, Again 3/3
March 2011 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings 3/3
Proton pump inhibitor drugs safety warning; gabapentin oral solution approval; sumatriptan subcutaneous injector product availability; recall implantable drug pump (Medtronic SynchroMed); recall hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets.
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February 2011
Rx Monitoring Doesn’t Stem Opioid Overdose Deaths 2/24
Botox Ineffective for Chronic Migraine? 2/24
“Murses” Burden Men’s Backs, Causing Brutal Pain 2/22
Should State Laws Dictate Pain-Care Practices? 2/18
Role of Age in Origin of Chronic Low Back Pain 2/18
Arthritis Due to Lyme Disease Often Overlooked 2/17
Alarming New Evidence About Painful Shingles & PHN 2/11
Combination Drug Therapy for Pain: A Clinical Conundrum 2/11
Gua Sha Therapy for Reducing Chronic Neck Pain? 2/10
Back, Neck Pain Still Plague Computer Workers 2/10
The Interpersonal Side of Pain: Emotions Reign! 2/4
Does Liberal Opioid Dosing Spur Misuse or Abuse? 2/4
February 2011 – Pain Product Announcements & Warnings 2/4
Fentanyl sublingual tablets (Abstral) approval; gabapentin (Gralise) approval for post-herpetic neuralgia; acetaminophen 325 mg safety limit imposed by FDA; morphine sulfate oral solution safety alert; tocilizumab (Actemra) extended approval; buprenorphine (Butrans) now available.
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January 2011
The Impossibility of Being a Pain-Care Expert 1/28
Cancer Survivors Suffer Burden of Chronic Pain 1/28
Analysis Shows NSAIDs Raise Cardiovascular Risks 1/22
Data Mining Fallacies in Pain Research Revisited 1/21
The Trouble with Opioid Treatment Agreements 1/21
Study Finds Low Risk of Rx-Opioid-Use Problems 1/14
Fibromyalgia Linked to Obesity — A Myth? 1/14
FDA Puts the Brakes on Acetaminophen 1/13
Study Finds Placebo Works Great for IBS! Why? 1/7
Chronic Back Pain Affects Memory, Concentration 1/7
Why Do Practitioners Ignore Osteoarthritis Guidelines? 1/7
Is There a Role for Topical Opioids in Pain Care? 1/1
Why Practitioners Dislike Chronic Pain Patients 1/1
Top 10 “Hit Parade” Postings for 2010 1/1
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| Disclaimer |
| Opinions or viewpoints are those of the source cited as author or "posted by" contributor, unless otherwise specified. News and research items have been edited for length and/or modified for clarity without altering essential data as originally published. Pain Treatment Topics and its advisors and associates do not endorse any medications, products, services, or treatments described, mentioned, or discussed in any of the UPDATES entries. We DO NOT endorse or recommend the "off-label" use of any products. Nor are any representations made concerning efficacy, appropriateness, or suitability of any such medications, products, services, or treatments.
In view of the possibility of human error or advances in medical knowledge, Pain Treatment Topics and its advisors and associates do not warrant the information contained in News/Research UPDATES is in every respect accurate or complete, and they are not responsible nor liable for any errors or omissions made by the original sources or for results obtained from the use of this information. If there are questions or needs for further information, readers are advised to consult the reference sources cited or competent medical authorities. |
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