The United States is experiencing an epidemic of opioid overdose deaths. Many of the recent fatalities are associated with illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is being added to heroin and counterfeit pain pills. The crisis is further exacerbated by the emergence of an increasing number of novel synthetic opioids (NSOs), including various fentanyl analogs and non-fentanyl compounds that display potent agonist actions at the μ-opioid receptor. Importantly, most users are unaware of their exposure to fentanyl and NSOs. Stemming the tide of opioid-related fatalities will require a coordinated multidisciplinary response from policy makers, law enforcement personnel, first responders, treatment providers, family members, and scientists. To this end, basic research in pharmacology can contribute significantly to mitigating the crisis through efforts to characterize the biological effects of NSOs, discover more effective antidotes for overdose rescue, and develop safer medications for treating addiction and alleviating pain.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2018.09.006 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Estimating prevalence of opioid misuse in North Carolina counties from 2016-2021: An integrated abundance model approach.
Epidemiology
January 2025
Department of Statistical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Background: The overdose epidemic remains largely driven by opioids, but county-level prevalence of opioid misuse is unknown. Without this information, public health and policy responses are limited by a lack of knowledge on the scope of the problem.
Methods: Using an integrated abundance model, we estimate annual county-level prevalence of opioid misuse for counties in North Carolina from 2016 to 2021.
Developing a comprehensive inventory to define harm reduction housing.
Harm Reduct J
January 2025
Opioid Policy Research Collaborative, Heller School for Social Policy & Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA.
Background: The City of Boston has faced unprecedented challenges with substance use amidst changes to the illicit drug supply and increased visibility of homelessness. Among its responses, Boston developed six low threshold harm reduction housing (HRH) sites geared towards supporting the housing needs of people who use drugs (PWUD) and addressing health and safety concerns around geographically concentrated tent encampments. HRH sites are transitional supportive housing that adhere to a "housing first" approach where abstinence is not required and harm reduction services and supports are co-located.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRisk of hospital inpatient opioid overdose (RHINOO): a review of factors impacting naloxone administration in patients receiving opioids.
Eur J Clin Pharmacol
January 2025
Department of the Acute Pain Service, St. Luke's University Health Network, 801 Ostrum St, Bethlehem, PA, 18015, USA.
Purpose: Opioid medications remain a common treatment for acute pain in hospitalized patients. This study aims to identify factors contributing to opioid overdose in the inpatient population, addressing the gap in data on which patients are at higher risk for opioid-related adverse events in the hospital setting.
Methods: A retrospective chart review of inpatients receiving at least one opioid medication was performed at a large academic medical center from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022.
Development and preclinical testing of a naloxone prodrug depot for extended protection against opioid overdose.
Nat Commun
January 2025
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, US.
The opioid crisis, driven by synthetic opioids like fentanyl, demands innovative solutions. The opioid antidote naloxone has a short action ( ~ 1 hour), requiring repeated doses. To address this, we present a new and simple naloxone prodrug delivery system repurposing a hydrophilic derivative of acoramidis, a potent transthyretin ligand.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHow do restrictions on opioid prescribing, harm reduction, and treatment coverage policies relate to opioid overdose deaths in the United States in 2013-2020? An application of a new state opioid policy scale.
Int J Drug Policy
January 2025
Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York City, NY, USA. Electronic address:
Background: Identifying the most effective state laws and provisions to reduce opioid overdose deaths remains critical.
Methods: Using expert ratings of opioid laws, we developed annual state scores for three domains: opioid prescribing restrictions, harm reduction, and Medicaid treatment coverage. We modeled associations of state opioid policy domain scores with opioid-involved overdose death counts in 3133 counties, and among racial/ethnic subgroups in 1485 counties (2013-2020).
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!