Buprenorphine not recommended for severe pain: NHS Scotland advice
The Scottish Medicines Consortium did not recommend Buprenorphine transdermal patchs for severe pain: ADVICE: following a third re-submission Buprenorphine transdermal patches (Butrans) are not recommended for use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of severe opioid responsive pain conditions, which are not adequately responding to non-opioid analgesics. In the patient population considered in this submission, […]
Methylnaltrexone (Relistor) for opioid induced constipation: SMC review
The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 8th December, 2008 an advice on the recently approved opioid antagonist methylnaltrexone ADVICE: following a full submissionMethylnaltrexone (Relistor) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland for treatment of opioid-induced constipation in advanced illness patients who are receiving palliative care when response to usual laxative therapy has not been […]
Pharmacodynamics. Cross tolerance definition
The following pharmacological definition has been taken from the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Department Glossary at Boston University School of Medicine. Cross-Tolerance: Tolerance to a drug that generalizes to drugs that are chemically related of that produce similar affects. For example, a patient who is tolerant to heroin will also exhibit cross-tolerance to morphine. The […]
Questions and answers from the EMEA about the withdrawal of Ionysis
Transcription from the EMEA website of the questions and answers document on the recommendation to suspend the marketing authorisation of Ionsys What is Ionsys? Ionsys is a system that delivers the active substance fentanyl hydrochloride into the body through the skin. Fentanyl is an opioid analgesic (a strong painkiller that is related to morphine). Ionsys should only be […]
Tapentadol approved by FDA as treatment for moderate to severe pain
FDA news release about the approval of pentadol to alleviate moderate to severe Pain: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Tapentadol hydrochloride, an immediate-release oral tablet for the relief of moderate to severe acute pain. Tapentadol is a centrally-acting synthetic analgesic that is available in doses of 50 mg, 75 mg, or 100 […]