Pradip Kokane’s Post

The Opioid Crisis: Misuse, Mismanagement, or Misunderstanding? The opioid crisis is a tangled web of statistics and assumptions, where numbers are often granted undue certainty, and pain is quantified through imperfect means. A recent study in Addiction explores the complexities of opioid prescribing for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) and the problematic use of pharmaceuticals, unearthing biases and inconsistencies in definitions and diagnoses. The perceived prevalence of opioid misuse in pain management is as varied as it is misunderstood, raising questions about the reliability of data and the motivations behind its interpretation. https://lnkd.in/ecRiZBHy

Kratom is different than opioids used for pain relief. “Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the primary active alkaloids responsible for the effects of kratom. Despite its interaction with opioid receptors, mitragynine is not structurally similar to traditional opioid medications.” “Another key difference between kratom and traditional opioids is the lack of beta-arrestin-2 recruitment, which may explain the reduced side effects and risk of respiratory depression seen with kratom” “It has been postulated that in addition to the opioid receptor effects, kratom may provide a second mechanism to potentially alleviate pain with these pathways that have already been well characterized and utilized for modern approaches to pain management with TCAs and SNRI medications.7 There is also evidence to suggest kratom has anti-inflammatory effects from cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition.” https://lnkd.in/grzM79nS

Manage Patients’ Expectations in Pain Management: Setting realistic goals can improve patients’ medication adherence and self-efficacy. #finance #pharmacy #lifesciences

EPPIC-Net ➡️ "... Only in 2018, a year when nearly 50,000 Americans died of an [opioid] overdose, did Congress start funding a program — the Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network, or EPPIC-Net — designed to explore types of pain and find better solutions. 💬 Any treatments that come out of this research are unlikely to be blockbusters like opioids; by design, they will be useful to fewer people. That also makes them less appealing prospects to drug companies. So EPPIC-Net is helping small drug companies, academics, and even individual doctors design and conduct early-stage trials to test the safety and efficacy of promising pain-taming molecules. That information will be handed over to drug manufacturers for late-stage trials, all with the aim of getting new drugs approved by the FDA more quickly." https://lnkd.in/eusdb7zs

🌟 Exciting Update in Pain Management! 🌟 I’m thrilled to share insights on Mirogabalin besylate, a novel therapeutic option that has shown promise in the treatment of neuropathic pain. This drug, a structural analog of pregabalin, targets the α2δ subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels, providing a unique mechanism of action that may enhance pain relief while minimizing side effects. Recent studies highlight its efficacy in managing conditions like diabetic peripheral neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia, making it a potential game-changer for patients struggling with chronic pain. As we continue to explore innovative treatments in this space, Mirogabalin besylate represents a significant advancement in our approach to pain management. I’m looking forward to seeing how this development will impact patient care and improve quality of life for those affected by neuropathic pain. #PainManagement #NeuropathicPain #MirogabalinBesylate #Pharmaceuticals #HealthcareInnovation

Understanding the Safety of Painkillers Painkillers, also known as analgesics, are widely used medications that offer relief from pain and discomfort. They are available in various forms, including over-the-counter \(OTC\) options like acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs \(NSAIDs\) such as ibuprofen, as well as prescription-strength opioids. Each type of painkiller functions differently in the body, targeting specific pathways to alleviate p... [...] #safetyofpainkillers >>> Support Our News Site by reading full article in the link below... https://lnkd.in/dDKzTyH9

Looking back to 2022, a pivotal year in the journey towards understanding alternative pain management methods for athletes, we revisit the NFL's initiative in cannabis research. In a move that sparked hope and curiosity, the NFL-NFLPA Joint Pain Management Committee awarded $1 million in research funding to delve into the effects of cannabinoids on pain management and neuroprotection from concussions in professional football players. Two distinguished teams of medical researchers, one at the UC San Diego and the other at the University of Regina, embarked on pioneering studies that sought to shed light on the therapeutic potential of cannabis. Led by Drs. Thomas Marcotte, Mark Wallace, and J. Patrick Neary, these studies aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids, including #THC and #CBD, in alleviating pain and mitigating the effects of concussions in elite athletes. Fast forward to 2024, and the conversation surrounding cannabis as a viable treatment option for athletes continues to evolve. As we reflect on the progress made through these studies, it becomes evident that the findings hold relevance not only for professional football players but for athletes across various sports and individuals seeking alternative pain management solutions. The involvement of professional athletes in these studies underscores the importance of patient autonomy and the right to choose one's healthcare path. Athletes, like all individuals, deserve access to a range of treatment options, including cannabis, which may offer relief from pain and aid in recovery without the risks associated with traditional pharmaceuticals. Here at the Cannabis Freedom Party, we recognize the significance of normalizing patients' rights and the therapeutic potential of cannabis. Leveraging the findings from these pioneering studies, we continue to promote policy changes that prioritize patient choice and access to alternative treatments. #Cannabis #CannabisIndustry #PotPolitics #Deschedule #BigPharma

CBD for Chronic Pain Given the ongoing challenges of chronic pain management coupled with the consequences of the opioid epidemic, pain management practitioners and their patients are searching for effective and safer alternatives to opioids to alleviate pain. With the legalization of marijuana in many states and resulting cultural acceptance of this drug for recreational and medical use, there has been an increased interest in using cannabis for a myriad of medical problems, including pain. Cannabis (most commonly obtained from the Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa plants) has three major components: cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids. While there are over a hundred different cannabinoids, the two major components are tetrahydrocannabional (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Historically more attention has been paid to the psychoactive (euphoric “getting high”) component of the cannabis plant, THC; there have been fewer scientific studies on the medical use of CBD, a non-psychoactive component of the plant. If you are interested in knowing more about CBD and its use to manage chronic pain, do not hesitate to reach out to our International Team spread overseas, ready to help you along your CRPS journey. Follow us on our all-social media channels to stay updated. #CRPSFighter #CWFfamily #CRPSchampion #crps #crpswarriors #crpscommunity #rsd #complexregionalpainsyndrome #trustpatients #butidontlooksick #raredisease #pain #nonprofitfoundation #crpsstrong #warriors #crpswarriorsfoundation #nevergiveup #hopeforacure #fightingforallwarriors #reflexsympatheticdystrophy #crpsawareness #fighttheburn #internationalwarriors @mmwcoc @vegaschamber @cityofmurrieta @cityoflasvegas Image credits: Harvard Health Publishing, 2020 Source information: Harvard Health Publishing, 2020 #crps #complexregionalpainsyndrome #crpscommunity #crpswarrior #crps #complexregionalpainsyndrome #crpscommunity #crpswarrior #crpsfighter #crpswarriors #fighttheburn #crpswarriorsfoundation #raredisease #fightingforallwarriors #raiseawareness #internationalwarriors #rsd #nonprofitfoundation #reflexsympatheticdystrophy #crpsawareness @mmwcoc @cityoflasvegas @vegaschamber @gaccpa

Dutch general practitioners and community pharmacists have serious concerns about opioid use in chronic non-malignant pain. Despite shared concerns, both professions differ in their beliefs about opioid benefits and perceived self-efficacy. Both professions have in common that they value recommended measures to reduce opioid prescribing. Also, they both struggle to implement strategies, emphasizing the urgent need for education, collaboration, and tools to align practices with guidelines on non-malignant pain and opioids. Read our recent published article in European Journal of Pain here (open access): https://lnkd.in/e-yVZVBb Thanks to all respondents and co-authors Yvette Weesie, Mette Heringa, Karin Hek, Jeanet Blom, Mattijs E Numans, Liset van Dijk and Marcel Bouvy. #generalpractitioners #pharmacists #opioids #chronicpain #painmanagement #taptoe

Does ketamine scare you or do you still think it has a place in modern medicine 💊? Read this to find out how an LA clinic plans to dispel myths and promote the facts. #ketamine #ketaminetherapy #modernmedicine #pharma #matthewperry