Fact vs. fiction: naloxone in the treatment of opioid-induced respiratory depression in the current era of synthetic opioids.

Opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD) deaths are ~80,000 a year in the US and are a major public health issue. Approximately 90% of fatal opioid-related deaths are due to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, most of which is illicitly manufactured and distributed either on its own or as an adulterant to other drugs of abuse such as cocaine or methamphetamine. Other potent opioids such as nitazenes are also increasingly present in the illicit drug supply, and xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer, is a prevalent additive to opioids and other drugs of abuse. Naloxone is the main treatment used to reverse OIRD and is available as nasal sprays, prefilled naloxone injection devices, and generic naloxone for injection. An overdose needs to be treated as soon as possible to avoid death, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are up to 50 times more potent than heroin, so the availability of new, higher-dose, 5-mg prefilled injection or 8-mg intranasal spray naloxone preparations are important additions for emergency treatment of OIRDs, especially by lay people in the community. Higher naloxone doses are expected to reverse a synthetic overdose more rapidly and the current formulations are ideal for use by untrained lay people in the community. There are potential concerns about severe withdrawal symptoms, or pulmonary edema from treatment with high-dose naloxone. However, from the perspective of first responders, the balance of risks would point to administration of naloxone at the dose required to combat the overdose where the risk of death is very high. The presence of xylazines as an adulterant complicates the treatment of OIRDs, as naloxone is probably ineffective, although it will reverse the respiratory depression due to the opioid. For these patients, hospitalization is particularly vital. Education about the benefits of naloxone remains important not only in informing people about how to treat emergency OIRDs but also how to obtain naloxone. A call to emergency services is also essential after administering naloxone because, although the patient may revive, they may overdose again later because of the short half-life of naloxone and the long-lasting potency of fentanyl and its analogs.

Use of Opioids for Adults With Pain From Cancer or Cancer Treatment: ASCO Guideline.

PURPOSE: To provide guidance on the use of opioids to manage pain from cancer or cancer treatment in adults. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature identified systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials of the efficacy and safety of opioid analgesics in people with cancer, approaches to opioid initiation and titration, and the prevention and management of opioid adverse events. PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched from January 1, 2010, to February 17, 2022. American Society of Clinical Oncology convened an Expert Panel to review the evidence and formulate recommendations. RESULTS: The evidence base consisted of 31 systematic reviews and 16 randomized controlled trials. Opioids have primarily been evaluated in patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain, and they effectively reduce pain in this population, with well-characterized adverse effects. Evidence was limited for several of the questions of interest, and the Expert Panel relied on consensus for these recommendations or noted that no recommendation could be made at this time. RECOMMENDATIONS: Opioids should be offered to patients with moderate-to-severe pain related to cancer or active cancer treatment unless contraindicated. Opioids should be initiated PRN (as needed) at the lowest possible dose to achieve acceptable analgesia and patient goals, with early assessment and frequent titration. For patients with a substance use disorder, clinicians should collaborate with a palliative care, pain, and/or substance use disorder specialist to determine the optimal approach to pain management. Opioid adverse effects should be monitored, and strategies are provided for prevention and management.Additional information is available at www.asco.org/supportive-care-guidelines.

Lucid Dreams Associated with Pregabalin: Implications for Clinical Practice.

Here, we describe a case of a patient with multiple myeloma who reported symptoms of lucid dreams. This patient was taking methadone for neoplasm related pain. The patient was also taking pregabalin which was initially started at dosing of 50 mg taken orally three times a day. Five days after initiation of pregabalin, the dosing was increased to 100 mg taken orally three times daily. The patient developed lucid dreams during a hospital stay and methadone was initially thought to be the cause of her lucid dreams. Methadone dosing was decreased with no success, and her lucid dreams persisted. On the patient's thirteenth day of hospital admission, the pregabalin dose was decreased from 100 mg three times a day to 75 mg twice daily. Five days later, the pregabalin was decreased from 75 mg twice daily to 50 mg twice daily. Pregabalin was continued for five more days and then discontinued. Resolution of the lucid dreams occurred following discontinuation of pregabalin. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an association between pregabalin and lucid dreams. Given that pregabalin is a widely used medication, we found this case to be relevant to describe this unique presentation.

The pharmacists' role in patient-provider pain management treatment agreements.

With the increased focus on improving patients' pain control and upward trends in opioid overdose and deaths, health care professionals have become increasingly interested in reducing their professional risks and improving the safety of their patients receiving chronic opioids. These fears can often be further exacerbated by media attention of deaths from opioid misuse or unintentional overdose and physician prosecution for 'overprescribing' of controlled substances, including opioids. This article discusses the role pharmacists can play in patient-provider agreements, and highlights the potential risks associated with chronic opioid therapy. In addition, it describes the important differences between abuse, addiction, physical dependence, and tolerance. Sample informed consent for chronic opioid therapy and patient-provider agreements are included.

Are opioid risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) interrupting your sleep?

The article entitled "Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) for Extended-Release and Long-Acting Opioid Analgesics: Considerations for Pain and Palliative Care Practice" that appears in this issue of the journal addresses the important new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) REMS program. This commentary expands on themes introduced by Dr. Gudin, projects future directions for REMS, and discusses possible benefits, limitations, and risks associated with the extended-release long-acting opioid REMS.

Consensus recommendations from the strategic planning summit for pain and palliative care pharmacy practice.

Pain and symptoms related to palliative care (pain and palliative care [PPC]) are often undertreated. This is largely owing to the complexity in the provision of care and the potential discrepancy in education among the various health care professionals required to deliver care. Pharmacists are frequently involved in the care of PPC patients, although pharmacy education currently does not offer or require a strong curriculum commitment to this area of practice. The Strategic Planning Summit for the Advancement of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacy was convened to address opportunities to improve the education of pharmacists and pharmacy students on PPC. Six working groups were charged with objectives to address barriers and opportunities in the areas of student and professional assessment, model curricula, postgraduate training, professional education, and credentialing. Consensus was reached among the working groups and presented to the Summit Advisory Board for adoption. These recommendations will provide guidance on improving the care provided to PPC patients by pharmacists through integrating education at all points along the professional education continuum.

The Food and Drug Administration risk evaluation and mitigation strategy.

The Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 extended the agency's regulatory authority over drug products that have been shown to place patients at risk. This Act authorizes the FDA to require pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors to ensure that the safety of their products continue to outweigh the risks. This article discusses in more detail the proposed elements of an acceptable Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for any drug product, including extended-release opioid analgesics.

Is the word "narcotic" appropriate in patient care?.

Pain continues to be undertreated, and numerous barriers to adequate pain management have been identified. Some clinicians believe that the words which health professionals use to describe analgesics may be a hidden barrier. Possible implications of using the term "narcotic" are described.