Painkillers

New research finds an elevated risk of blood clots in women using NSAIDs with hormonal contraception, particularly high-risk types and diclofenac. The research calls for greater awareness and careful consideration of safer pain relief and contraceptive options. Researchers advise that while the absolute risk remains low, women should be informed accordingly. People using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers in combination with hormonal contraceptives may face a slightly higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE),…

Around one million people every year suffer from a parasitic condition known as cutaneous leishmaniasis. Spread by sandfly bites, the parasite causes nasty skin ulcerations but for many people the wounds are unexpectedly pain-free. For decades scientists have been puzzled by the mystery of these painless lesions.“No one knows why these lesions are painless – but it has been thought that the parasite somehow manipulates the host physiological system,” says Abhay Satoskar, senior author on a new study exploring the unusual…

That’s why I was so excited to read about Smileyscope, a VR device for kids that recently received FDA clearance. It helps lessen the pain of a blood draw or IV insertion by sending the user on an underwater adventure that begins with a welcome from an animated character called Poggles the Penguin. Inside this watery deep-sea reality, the cool swipe of an alcohol wipe becomes cool waves washing over the arm. The pinch of the needle becomes a gentle fish nibble.   Studies suggest the device works. In two clinical trials…

A landmark clinical trial tested a program that incorporated combined one-to-one and group support sessions. It found that one in five individuals were able to discontinue their use of opioids without experiencing an increase in their pain levels after one year. This new treatment option is seen as an alternative to opioid use and holds the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for patients, according to experts.Scientists from the University of Warwick and The James Cook University Hospital in…

Many common drugs consist of chemicals sourced from crude oil, a situation that needs to change if we're to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.Now scientists have managed to make two well-known painkillers, acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) and ibuprofen, out of a compound found in pine trees. The compound is also a waste product from the paper industry and could be a sustainable replacement for the oil chemicals.The compound in question is β-pinene, and it comes from turpentine. The researchers were also able…

It's probably fair to say that when most people conjure images of the pharmaceutical industry, it's not often there's an association between the production of life-saving drugs and environmental decline. But according to one 2019 study by The Conversation, drug companies produce more tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per million dollars than the automotive industry. "By our calculations, the pharma market is 28 percent smaller yet 13 percent more polluting than the automotive sector," the outlet said of the state of…

Acetaminophen (aka paracetamol) is a common go-to for treatment of acute pain like headache or toothache, and the popularity of such over-the-counter non-steroidal analgesics is clear, with around 60% of Americans having popped one of these pills in the last six months.However, unlike prescription medicine, which generally comes with a personally tailored plan and dosage outline from a GP, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments have no such specific guidelines, meaning there’s more potential for misuse and adverse events. In…

Some 31,000 years ago in the misty rainforests of the island of Borneo, stone tool met bone and a limb was severed—but a young life was saved. Researchers have found evidence for the earliest known surgical amputation, tens of thousands of years before the advent of modern surgical tools, antibiotics, or painkillers. The findings illuminate both the medical expertise and compassion of the pioneering hunter-gatherers who populated Southeast Asia at this time, says Charlotte…

A wide variety of pain-relieving drugs are available both over the counter and by prescription.While pain can be horrible, it serves a useful purpose. Without the ability to feel pain, life is more dangerous. To avoid injury, pain tells us to swing a hammer more gently, wait for the soup to cool down, or put on gloves in a snowball fight. People with rare inherited disorders that leave them without the ability to feel pain are unable to protect themselves from environmental threats, leading to broken bones, damaged skin,…

Researchers have developers a flexible implant capable of relieving pain in patients. In what could be termed as a game-changing discovery, the implant is a water-soluble and biocompatible device that can serve as an alternative to painkillers — eliminating the need for addictive medications. By wrapping around the nerves to provide cooling in the region, the implant can numb the nerve and block pain signals to the brain, bringing relief from pain. Users can activate the implant via an external pump, while controlling the…