"The National Institutes of Health Blueprint for Neuroscience Research is launching a $30 million project that will use cutting-edge brain imaging technologies to map the circuitry of the healthy adult human brain," according to the NIH report. By collecting brain imaging data from hundreds of subjects, the Human Connectome Project will... Read more
We've known for a long time that if you're going to stop taking opioids, it's usually best to taper off gradually to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. But now, there's another very good reason not to abruptly stop taking opioid medications – it can actually increase your sensitivity to pain. A recent study conducted by... Read more
I know many of you who take Darvon or Darvocet have been concerned ever since the FDA announced that it was considering a Public Citizen petition to remove these and other drugs containing propoxyphene from the market due to the high risk of overdose in patients taking them. You'll be relieved to know that, for now at least, the FDA has... Read more
You've probably been hearing in the news that an FDA advisory panel has recommended lowering the maximum recommended dose of acetaminophen from 1,000 mg per dose to 650 mg. They also recommended lowering the maximum daily dose, which is currently 4 grams (4,000 mg). Although they didn't specify what the maximum daily dose should be lowered... Read more
The American Geriatrics Society has issued an updated guideline for treating chronic pain patients aged 75 and older. According to the new guideline, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) should be “considered rarely, and with extreme caution, in highly selected individuals.” This contradicts the AGS's previous 2002... Read more