Based on numerous pharmacological studies that have revealed an interaction between cannabinoid and opioid systems at the molecular, neurochemical, and behavioral levels, a new series of hybrid molecules has been prepared by coupling the molecular features of two wellknown drugs, ie, rimonabant and fentanyl. The new compounds have been tested for their affinity and functionality regarding CB1 a...

PURPOSE The goal of these studies was to determine the relationship between prescribed use of opioid analgesics and their non-medically related use (abuse) at a regional level across the country. METHODS To gather information about prescription drug abuse, we asked 233 drug abuse treatment specialists to provide us Quarterly reports on the number of cases of prescription opioid analgesic abus...

Inflammation enhances the peripheral analgesic efficacy of opioid drugs, but the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon have not been fully elucidated. Crotalphine (CRP), a peptide that was first isolated from South American rattlesnake C.d. terrificus venom, induces a potent and long-lasting anti-nociceptive effect that is mediated by the activation of peripheral opioid receptors. Because the ...

Background: A number of drugs are used to control opioid withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. Tramadol, as a partial opioid agonist, has been widely used to manage acute and chronic pains. The present study was designed to assess the effectiveness of tramadol in methadone-assisted detoxification. Methods: In a double-blind randomized clinical trial 72 opioid-dependent patients as defined ...

Although opioids are highly effective for the treatment of pain, they are also known to be intensely addictive. There has been a massive research investment in the development of opioid analgesics, resulting in a plethora of compounds with varying affinity and efficacy at all the known opioid receptor subtypes. Although compounds of extremely high potency have been produced, the problem of tole...

AIMS This study describes the use of prescribed drugs among women in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) prior to, and during, pregnancy. DESIGN This cohort study was based on data from two nationwide databases: the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and the Norwegian Prescription Database. SETTING Norway, 2004-2010. PARTICIPANTS OMT drugs were dispensed to 138 women with 159 pregnancies. ...

background: a number of drugs are used to control opioid withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. tramadol, as a partial opioid agonist, has been widely used to manage acute and chronic pains. the present study was designed to assess the effectiveness of tramadol in methadone-assisted detoxification.   methods: in a double-blind randomized clinical trial 72 opioid-dependent patients as define...

The rewarding properties of some abused drugs are thought to reside in their ability to increase striatal dopamine levels. Similar increases have been shown in response to expectation of a positive drug effect. The actions of opioid drugs on striatal dopamine release are less well characterized. We examined whether heroin and the expectation of heroin reward increases striatal dopamine levels i...

OBJECTIVE After prolonged opioid exposure, children develop opioid-induced hyperalgesia, tolerance, and withdrawal. Strategies for prevention and management should be based on the mechanisms of opioid tolerance and withdrawal. PATIENTS AND METHODS Relevant manuscripts published in the English language were searched in Medline by using search terms "opioid," "opiate," "sedation," "analgesia," ...

BACKGROUND Driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) is a term used to designate the action of driving an automobile after the consumption of drugs or medications other than alcohol that interfere with the capacity to operate a vehicle safely. Unlike recreational drugs, prescription medications pose a unique challenge to those attempting to harness their benefits yet protect the driving publi...