A recent history of opioid use in the US: Three decades of change.

Background: The opioid epidemic in the United States is a problem that has developed over decades. While clinical, regulatory, and legislative changes have been implemented to combat this issue, changes will not be immediate. Moreover, the changes that have been carried out may have unintended negative consequences such as increased use of illicit opioids (e.

Exposure Calls to U. S. Poison Centers Involving Electronic Cigarettes and Conventional Cigarettes-September 2010-December 2014.

Introduction: E-cigarette use is increasing, and the long-term impact on public health is unclear. We described the acute adverse health effects from e-cigarette exposures reported to U.S.

Prescription-acquired acetaminophen use and the risk of asthma in adults: a case-control study.

Background: Studies have examined the association between acetaminophen use and asthma; however, their interpretation is limited by several methodologic issues.

Objective: To investigate the association between recent and chronic prescription-acquired acetaminophen use and asthma.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study used a 10% random sample of the IMS LifeLink commercial claims data from 1997 to 2009.

Acute and chronic acetaminophen use and renal disease: a case-control study using pharmacy and medical claims.

Background: Studies have examined the association between acetaminophen (APAP) use and renal disease; however, their interpretation is limited by a number of methodological issues.

Objective: To study the association between acute and chronic prescription-acquired APAP use and renal disease.

Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study of medical and pharmacy claims of a 10% random sample of the enrollees from the IMS LifeLink Health Plans commercial claims dataset for dates of service from January 1, 1997, through December 31, 2009.

Effect of scheduling tramadol as a controlled substance on poison center exposures to tramadol.

Background: There is limited information on the effect of scheduling a drug as a controlled substance with comparable data from both a pre-scheduling and post-scheduling time period.

Objective: To investigate the temporal changes on poisoning cases involving tramadol in 4 states: 2 states where it has been scheduled and 2 where it is not scheduled.

Methods: Databases were searched for all cases involving tramadol reported from 2003 through 2009 at 6 regional poison centers that served Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Dextromethorphan.

Dextromethorphan is reviewed in its role as an emerging drug of abuse, and the effects of dextromethorphan, along with those of co-ingredients in OTC formulations, are discussed. The Drug Abuse and Warning Network (DAWN) national data in the United States are examined in the context of data from other poison control centers, and possible national trends are postulated. Implications for dextromethorphan as an emerging drug of abuse are explored.

Do poison center guidelines adversely affect patient outcomes as triage referral values increase?

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether patient outcomes were adversely affected as healthcare referral values increased for two common poisonings: acute, unintentional acetaminophen (APAP) poisonings and acute, unintentional iron (Fe) poisonings. We hypothesized that symptom rates would increase with high referral values.

Methods: Qualifying 1997 exposures were separated by substance (APAP or Fe) and then further stratified into three healthcare referral value ranges.