painkillers Archives - Mayo Clinic News Network

Mayo Clinic Minute: Be careful not to pop pain pills

Dana Sparks — Mon, 28 May 2018 06:00:51 +0000

Overdose death is the leading cause of injury death in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Heroin is a major player in overdose deaths but so are prescription opioid pain medications.

Prescription pain medications, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine, are necessary in some instances. But, Mayo Clinic experts say, some people who take them can't stop, putting them at increased risk of addiction and accidental overdose.

Dr. Mike Hooten, a pain management specialist at Mayo Clinic, talks about how to stop taking prescription pain medication, especially if you think you might have an addiction issue.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0:59) is in the downloads. Read the script.

Opioid painkiller addiction can destroy lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2014, 2 million Americans abused or were dependent on painkillers, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and methadone.

“The most important first step is recognizing you have a problem,” says Dr. Hooten. He says the second step is to talk to the health care provider who prescribed the medication.

“The medication, under medical direction, can be gradually tapered, and, then, at the same time, other pain therapies can be introduced, if needed. And, finally, you need to be referred to the appropriate addiction specialist.”

Dr. Hooten says breaking free from opioids is not easy. But, unlike alcohol withdrawal, which can be life-threatening, “Acute opioid withdrawal is a nonlethal syndrome. It’s very, very uncomfortable but not necessarily associated with death.”

Every day, 78 people die from an opioid overdose. Experts urge addicts to get help.

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: Be careful not to pop pain pills appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Some pain medicines may increase heart attack risk after surgery

Dana Sparks — Tue, 16 May 2017 19:33:11 +0000

There's more research pointing to an increased risk of heart attack when taking over-the-counter pain medications, especially in the first week after surgery.

In a McGill University study published recently in the British Medical Journal, researchers found that post-surgery use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with a significant risk of acute myocardial infarction.

Mayo Clinic cardiologist Dr. Stephen Kopecky, who was not involved in the study, says, "This isn't much different than previous reports, except it shows it happens within a week, which is somewhat new information. It's clear that if you have coronary artery disease or had a prior heart attack, bypass or stent, then there's a potential price to pay for overuse of over-the-counter painkillers."

In this Mayo Clinic Q and A: Risk of heart disease associated with NSAIDs article, Mayo Clinic cardiologist Dr. Rekha Mankad says, "Examples of NSAIDs include the nonprescription medications ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). NSAIDs available by prescription include diclofenac sodium (Voltaren and Solaraze) and celecoxib (Celebrex). Although aspirin is considered a type of NSAID, it doesn’t appear to be associated with a higher risk of heart attack or stroke."

Dr. Kopecky adds, "Since these medicines are over-the-counter, many people assume they're safe and they can take them without side effects. This is clearly not true if you have heart disease. The key point here is to try to take either aspirin or Tylenol (Acetaminophen) when possible for pain or use local treatments, such as ice, heat or rest."

The post Some pain medicines may increase heart attack risk after surgery appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Coming: 7-part series on the opioid epidemic

Deb Balzer — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 16:30:25 +0000

Each day, 78 people in the U.S. die of opioid overdoses, and more than 1,000 are treated in emergency departments for opioid misuse, federal figures show. Since 1999, the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids, including prescription opioid pain relievers and heroin, has nearly quadrupled. In a series of broadcast-quality, 60-second videos available for media use, Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist and pain medicine expert Dr. W. Michael Hooten and gastroenterologist Dr. Michael Camilleri discuss the opioid epidemic and the dangers associated with inappropriate use of prescription pain medication.

The first of the seven-part series will be available on the Mayo Clinic News Network beginning Thursday, Dec. 15.

Watch: Opioid series promo

Journalists: If you are interested in airing the series and promoting it, the broadcast-quality video of this promo is in the downloads.

To interview Drs. Hooten or Camilleri, contact Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, at newsbureau@mayo.edu or 507-284-5005.

The series originally was published in August 2016. Each video is a stand-alone news segment.

The post Coming: 7-part series on the opioid epidemic appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

How to stop popping pain pills: Mayo Clinic Radio Health Minute

Joel Streed — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 21:19:09 +0000

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the opioid crisis is real. They report that, in 2012, more than 2 million people in the U.S. had a substance use disorder related to prescription opioid pain relievers. Mayo Clinic experts want to help people who are hooked on prescription painkillers, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and morphine, to end their addictions.

In this Mayo Clinic Radio Health Minute, we discuss breaking free from painkiller addictions with pain medicine specialist Dr. Mike Hooten.

To listen, click the link below.

How to stop popping pain pills

The post How to stop popping pain pills: Mayo Clinic Radio Health Minute appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Heroin Use and Fatalities Rising May Be Due to Cost, Other Opioid Use

Dana Sparks — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 20:16:56 +0000

Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Hall-Flavin are available in the downloads.

Heroin is cheap, easily obtainable and on the rise as a killer across the nation. Because it is so cheap, heroin abuse is being seen in younger people and more people in the middle class. Experts say oxycontin use can easily lead to heroin addiction as it costs costs a fourth as much. Parents, friends and colleagues should be aware of the symptoms of heroin use, especially if they suspect or know that a person has used illegal drugs or prescription painkillers before:

The person shows a reduced sense of pain.
They appear to be sedated.
They are frequently depressed or seem confused.
If they are constipated.
If their breathing appears slow.

MEDIA CONTACT:Bob Nellis, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu

“Heroin is prevalent, it’s out there and it is deadly,” says Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist and addiction expert. “But it doesn’t have to be. There is hope out there for people if they can get treatment.”

A heroin overdose most often occurs when the heart stops or from lack of breathing, says Dr. Hall-Flavin. That’s because opiates suppress the brain stem, the part of the brain that regulates breathing and your heartbeat.

A few facts about heroin and heroin abuse:

Because of its addictive nature, the average heroin addict is using 4-6 times a day to sustain a high.
The mortality rate among heroin users is up to 63 times higher than their non-using counterparts.
Physicians and addiction experts are seeing more heroin abuse in the middle class and younger individuals.
In recent years, there has been more death due to heroin. That trend has paralleled the increased use of opiate based prescription pain killers during the past 12-15 years.
Someone abusing painkillers may transition to heroin. It’s cheaper and can be easier to get.

Dr. Hall-Flavin says one potential solution to the heroin overdose (besides treatment) could be widespread distribution of Naloxone at places such as public health clinics. The drug overturns the effects of heroin. Because 85 percent of people who overdose do so in front of someone else, it has the potential to save lives.

“It’s good to know the signs and symptoms of an overdose, and let someone know how to reach treatment,” says Dr. Hall-Flavin. “It is also good to dispose of all unused, expired or unneeded prescription drugs at home.”

To interview Dr. Hall-Flavin about addiction or heroin abuse, please contact Bob Nellis at 507-284-5005 or e-mail newsbureau@mayo.edu.

###

About Mayo Clinic
Recognizing 150 years of serving humanity in 2014, Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit worldwide leader in medical care, research and education for people from all walks of life. For more information, visit 150years.mayoclinic.org, www.mayoclinic.org and newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org.

The post Heroin Use and Fatalities Rising May Be Due to Cost, Other Opioid Use appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Expert Alert: Increase in Opioid Prescriptions Parallels Spike in Heroin Use, Overdoses

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 16:45:15 +0000

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Feb. 12, 2014 — Not only is heroin addictive and deadly, its use is increasing among Americans. That disturbing trend parallels the spike of opioid based prescription painkiller abuse in recent years, say Mayo Clinic experts.

Heroin, a drug that can be smoked, sniffed/snorted or injected intravenously, is highly addictive. For comparison, about 9 percent of people who use marijuana will become addicted. Close to 17 percent of cocaine users will. It’s 15 percent for alcohol. But for heroin, 25 percent or more of users will become addicted. That means roughly one in four users become addicts.

Journalists: Video of Dr. Hall-Flavin talking about heroin addiction is available in the downloads.

A few facts about heroin and heroin abuse:

Because of its addictive nature, the average heroin addict is using 4-6 times a day to sustain a high.
The mortality rate among heroin users is up to 63 times higher than their non-using counterparts.
Physicians and addiction experts are seeing more heroin abuse in the middle class and younger individuals.
In recent years, there has been more death due to heroin. That trend has paralleled the increased use of opiate based prescription pain killers during the past 12-15 years.
Someone abusing painkillers may transition to heroin. It’s cheaper and can be easier to get.

To interview Dr. Hall-Flavin about addiction or heroin abuse, please contact Nick Hanson at 507-284-5005 or e-mail newsbureau@mayo.edu.

###

MEDIA CONTACT:
Nick Hanson, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Expert Alert: Increase in Opioid Prescriptions Parallels Spike in Heroin Use, Overdoses appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.