Major criminal cases in Klamath County Sep 2, 2008
Background: Trotta, a Mazama High School special education teacher, is accused of giving prescription painkillers to students and having them buy drugs for her over a two-year period. She was put on administrative leave by the school district after she was arrested in November 2007. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
* Zimbabwe suffers in silence as hospital system fails Sep 2, 2008
Another family said a relative dying of cancer was sent home and no painkillers could be found in pharmacies. Relatives abroad were able to pay for morphine, but by the time import clearance was obtained, the man had died in agony, the family said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
King says Alpharma rebuffed a $1.4B buyout bid Sep 2, 2008
Still, the bulk of its pharmaceutical sales are related to the morphine painkiller Kadian, which reached $167. 7 million in 2007. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
HEALTH BLOG: Opening up the medicine chest Sep 2, 2008
Researchers attribute the increase to the soaring use of prescription painkillers, including narcotics, outside of hospitals. Top photo of fish killed by red tide by Laura Chun, Associated Press. (USA Today -- Money)
LETTER: Medicines should be taken only as directed Sep 1, 2008
I didn t know I was also seizure active, until I ran out of one of these painkillers. A little over a week ago, I was sitting at my computer, just about to get up, when bam, the next thing I know, it s about three hours later, I had went through the house like a Tasmanian Devil, (knocking things down all over) went to the bathroom before I wanted to and chewed off a decent part of my tongue. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Advice of doctors in Zimbabwe is not to get sick Sep 1, 2008
Another family said a relative dying of cancer was sent home, and no painkillers could be found in Harare pharmacies. Relatives abroad were able to pay for morphine, but by the time import clearance was obtained from the state Medicines Control Authority, the man had died in agony, the family said, requesting anonymity for fear of government retribution. (Boston Globe)
E-Prescription Networks to Merge Sep 1, 2008
And the Drug Enforcement Agency is considering ending its ban on e-prescribing for controlled substances such as certain painkillers. There is no per-prescription cost to doctors or patients for using the service. (Yahoo News -- Health Care)
A subtle shift of a dilemma Aug 31, 2008
He didn't realize what was in the painkillers, he said, until after swallowing them. The pills hadn't helped, and now there were opiates in his system. (Boston Globe)
Missoula gathering to address pain management, addiction Aug 31, 2008
Pharmacists and physicians will converge on Missoula for a two-day conference this week to discuss ways to treat pain patients with narcotic painkillers while keeping opiates away from those who misuse them ... The conference will focus on the epidemiology and neuroscience of pain, the state-of-the-art best practices in pain management, the challenges and solutions in accessing effective pain management, and the risk and legal issues of prescribing opiate painkillers ... Sechrest and his... (Missoulian, MT)
Program targets abuse, disposal of prescriptions Aug 31, 2008
In Missoula County so far this calendar year, 17 deaths can be attributed solely to prescription painkillers like hydrocodone, oxycodone and methadone, according to recent statistics compiled by Missoula County Sheriff's Capt. Greg Hintz ... In another 324 deaths, painkillers were present but not necessarily the primary cause of death ... In other cases, Barnes has trouble finding doctors willing to prescribe her clients Naltrexone, an opiate blocker that she says helps addicts kick their... (Missoulian, MT)
Euthanasia GP still in favour of patients' right to die Aug 31, 2008
The woman killed herself 11 days later, using a cocktail of temazepam, antihistamines and painkillers. Kerr, 62, was found guilty of misconduct following a hearing by the General Medical Council (GMC) last month and faced the prospect of having the contract for his practice in Clarkston terminated. (Times Online)
BDSI shares jump for 2nd straight day after Onsolis news Aug 30, 2008
It then releases the painkiller fentanyl to treat breakthrough pain in cancer patients that comes on top of chronic discomfort. Reader Comments. (Raleigh Triangle Business Journal, NC)
League may suspend Faulk for one game Aug 30, 2008
Kaczur was arrested in New York in April on a charge of illegal possession of prescription painkillers, then secretly cooperated with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration in a sting operation that led to the arrest of his alleged supplier. In July, Kaczur paid a $355 fine for speeding, and court officials said his misdemeanor drug charge of possessing 202 OxyContin pills would be dismissed if he stays out of trouble for six months. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Prescription meds ... new illegal drug of choice Aug 30, 2008
The investigation, which spans almost a year, uncovered a pattern in which the woman was obtaining prescriptions for various painkillers in different dosages. Shell be charged with about 10 counts, Edwards said. (Wetumpka Herald, AL)
Cancer ward 'morphine replaced with water' Aug 29, 2008
A THIEF stole cancer patients' painkillers and replaced them with water at a New Zealand hospital. Canterbury District Health Board, which controls Christchurch Hospital in the South Island, called police after discovering the drugs had been switched. (NEWS.com.au)
Trooper loses job after pleading guilty to felony Aug 29, 2008
FAIRBANKS -- An Alaska State Trooper has lost his job following his conviction on a charge that he forged prescriptions to get narcotic painkillers, troopers said Wednesday. Story tools. (Anchorage Daily News)
Study: You can chew gum and get well at same time Aug 29, 2008
Saclarides, who was not involved in the new study, also recommended limiting the use of painkillers like morphine that cause constipation. A new drug, Adolor Corp. s drug Entereg, is now approved to treat constipation following abdominal surgery. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
BDSI gets good news on drug, though approval is delayed Aug 29, 2008
It then releases the painkiller fentanyl to treat breakthrough pain in cancer patients, or pain on top of the chronic discomfort felt by many cancer-stricken patients. In its review of Onsolis, the FDA found no problems with the drug itself, BDSI says. (Raleigh Triangle Business Journal, NC)
Tasered suspect arraigned in hospital Aug 29, 2008
Mr. Schmidt had cocaine, Valium and the painkiller oxycodone in his system when he arrived at the hospital, his parents say doctors told them. Mr. Schmidt's mother, Lorrie McGee, said last night her son still was struggling to speak but clearly recognized family members. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
30 face drug charges in northern Maine Aug 29, 2008
BANGOR, Maine Drug enforcement agents say they have arrested 30 people in far northern Maine for selling OxyContin, methadone and prescription painkillers. The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency says the 30 suspects sold prescription painkillers and other illegal drugs to undercover agents during the four-month investigation. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Online Ayurvedic Medicine May Be Unsafe Aug 28, 2008
More and more prescription drugs and painkillers are being sold illegally on the Internet. As John Blackstone reports, a recent study on drug abuse and the web has drawn concern. (CBS News)
Vioxx Settlement Judge Caps Legal Fees at 32 Percent Aug 28, 2008
The federal judge overseeing much of the massive litigation over withdrawn painkiller Vioxx on Wednesday capped fees for plaintiffs attorneys at a relatively low 32 percent of the , saying he had to ensure fees were reasonable ... Altogether, 871 law firms are involved in the litigation, which began about the time Merck & Co., the maker of Vioxx, pulled the painkiller from the market in September 2004 after its own research showed it doubled risk of heart attack and stroke. (Law.com)
More of this story Aug 28, 2008
The meth problem has just skyrocketed, and at this point we see a major rise in opiates: Sedatives and painkillers. Estimates are that 11 percent of White Countians have substance abuse problems, which comes to about 8,000 people. (Searcy Daily Citizen, AR)
Troubled Children Hurt Peers' Test Scores, Behavior Aug 27, 2008
17, 2006) TV really does act like a painkiller when it comes to kids, reveals a small study published ahead of print in the Archives of Disease in Childhood. The research team assessed 69 children between the. (Science Daily)
Determined to give speech, Kennedy left hospital bed Aug 27, 2008
Kidney stones are notoriously painful, and typically treated with morphine or other painkillers. (Aides would not say whether Kennedy had been given painkillers, or whether any stones had passed. (International Herald Tribune)
Lawsuits help guarantee drug safety, doctors say Aug 27, 2008
At issue is Wyeth v. Levine, a case expected to be heard this fall that could have far-reaching implications for litigation over allegedly harmful drugs, such as the painkiller Vioxx. Diana Levine, a Vermont guitarist, lost her right arm below the elbow after she was injected with Phenergan, a medicine for nausea, and developed gangrene. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
PM offers condolences over listeriosis Aug 27, 2008
At the time, experts predicted that the brand would never recover, but within a year Johnson & Johnson had almost entirely regained its former share of the painkiller market. Mr. Winter praised Maple Leaf's thorough response, which included both the extensive product recall and the temporary shutdown of the Toronto plant where the bacteria was discovered. (Globe and Mail)
Chief defends police officers in Taser incident Aug 27, 2008
His mother, Lorrie McGee, said doctors told her that an initial scan found cocaine, along with Valium and the painkiller oxycodone, in Mr. Schmidt's system. He remained strapped to his bed in the intensive care unit yesterday, with two officers guarding him. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Pain Therapeutics and King Pharmaceuticals Develop a New Abuse-Resistant Prescription Pain Medication Aug 27, 2008
In 2005, Pain Therapeutics and King entered into a strategic alliance to develop and commercialize REMOXY and other abuse-resistant opioid painkillers. Pain Therapeutics is substantially responsible for drug formulation, clinical development and regulatory filings for REMOXY and other abuse-resistant opioid painkillers developed under this alliance ... Upon regulatory approval, King will assume sole control of and worldwide responsibility to exclusively commercialize REMOXY and other... (Primezone Releases)
What's Your Juror Taking? Aug 26, 2008
Of some 20 people in the jury pool, about five acknowledged taking drugs including Xanax, Prozac and OxyContin, a powerful painkiller. Hirschhorn said he didn't care whether jurors were on Xanax or Prozac, but he moved to have the person taking OxyContin removed over concerns that the juror would have trouble concentrating. (Law.com)
Hamilton puts neck on line to stay ahead Aug 26, 2008
He woke at 5am on Saturday and was given a course of painkillers. His pace masked his discomfort, but he was never fast enough to offer more than a token challenge to Massa. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
THE REAL MICHELLE Aug 26, 2008
If Democrats gave Cindy McCain the same treatment that Republicans have handed Michelle Obama, they'd be trashing Mrs. McCain as a home wrecker (she dated for close to a year while he was married to his first wife), a junkie (she was addicted to prescription painkillers) and a callous thief (she stole the painkillers from a charity she was associated with). "Beer heiress" would follow every mention of her name and her comment that she believes the only way to get around the state of Arizona is... (New York Post -- Opinions)
FBI to Review Whether Roger Clemens Lied to Congress Aug 26, 2008
Clemens, 45, testified that McNamee only injected him with vitamin B-12 and the painkiller Lidocaine, and that the trainer was trying to ``save his own skin by making up lies. Clemens told Congress that Pettitte, a longtime friend and training partner and his former teammate with the New York Yankees and Houston Astros, ``misremembers'' a conversation they had about HGH.. (Yahoo News -- Drugs in Sports)
State argues for its right to use Limbaugh records Aug 26, 2008
Limbaugh publicly admitted an addiction to prescription painkillers and sought treatment in October, after his former maid told prosecutors and a tabloid newspaper she provided the Palm Beach resident with thousands of illegal pills. Investigators seized his doctors' records after pharmacy records revealed Limbaugh had received more than 2,000 pills in a five-month period. (Yahoo News -- Rush Limbaugh)
Alexander Technique: the great curer of back pain Aug 26, 2008
If you're slouching over your newspaper, this should make you sit up straight: finally, we've found a cure for chronic back pain - and it doesn't involve painkillers, surgery or uncomfortable manipulation ... Trials on 463 patients found that those who were prescribed 24 lessons in the Alexander Technique (along with exercise) experienced only three days of back pain in a month, compared with 11 days in patients who received six lessons, 14 days in the group who had regular massage, and 21 days... (Telegraph.co.uk)
No Prescription? Have Some of Mine Aug 26, 2008
And somebody gave me painkillers of her own on a trip abroad. Yes, I know, I know. (New York Times)
Age Alone Not an Exclusion Factor for Spine Surgery Aug 26, 2008
Potential non-surgical therapies may include physical therapy, steroid shots, opioid painkillers and bracing. When these measures fail, surgery can provide effective relief, although depending on the operation, the risk of complications can be high, Ames and colleagues note. (MEDLINEplus)
Taking Codeine While Breast-Feeding May Harm Infant Aug 26, 2008
In that instance, the mother, who was prescribed codeine-containing painkillers following an episiotomy, was later found to have the problematic genotype. To explore the issue, the research team analyzed DNA samples collected from 72 mothers across Canada who consumed post-delivery codeine between 2004 and 2007. (MEDLINEplus)
Adventures of an Accidental Delegate Aug 26, 2008
I just wish that one of the swag bags had contained painkillers. The welcome letter I received from the DNC a month ago contained five separate warnings against excess consumption of alcohol at high altitudes. (Slate)
Settlement in Deadly NYC Ferry Crash Aug 26, 2008
The boat's pilot was on painkillers and suffering from extreme fatigue. He pleaded guilty to negligent manslaughter and lying to investigators and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. (Time.com)
Cities come together to fight drug use Aug 26, 2008
The campaign will focus on three classes of drugs that carry a high risk of abuse including painkillers, such as those drugs prescribed after surgery; depressants, such as sleeping pills or anti-anxiety drugs; and stimulants, such as those drugs prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) ... Recent increases in prescription drug abuse can be at least partially attributed to their growing accessibility following the introduction of OxyContin, a highly addictive synthetic... (Somerville Journal, MA)
Six of the best who used to be bad Aug 25, 2008
With boyfriend Joel Madden she has given birth to Harlow, set up the Richie Madden Children's Foundation and is about to launch an online gift registry for struggling mothers - this from someone who admitted to smoking pot and popping painkillers before a DUI arrest less than two years ago. Earlier this year she told US TV host Diane Sawyer: "I never took life seriously before. I'm in a completely different place now. I owe my baby my life. I have to really be someone I want my child to look up... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
This is only a test: 6 exams explained Aug 25, 2008
Minimal pain, some cramping, and a light, watery discharge are common for 1 to 3 weeks; take an NSAID painkiller and wear a sanitary pad. Don't use tampons, have sex, or exercise until your doctor says it's okay. (MSNBC -- Health)
Major criminal cases in Klamath County Aug 25, 2008
Background: Trotta, a Mazama High School special education teacher, is accused of giving prescription painkillers to students and having them buy drugs for her over a two-year period. She was put on administrative leave by the school district after she was arrested in November 2007. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
King says Alpharma rebuffed a $1.4B buyout bid Aug 25, 2008
Still, the bulk of its pharmaceutical sales are related to the morphine painkiller Kadian, which reached $167. 7 million in 2007. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
Adding insult to surgical injury Aug 24, 2008
The epidural that earlier had numbed her pain became unplugged before the doctors started IV painkillers. We then found tangled IV lines on the bed and called for the nurse, who discovered the line for the painkiller was blocked, but couldn't tell how long the block had lasted. (Boston Globe)
Dr. Drew Denies Ties to Rehab Deaths Aug 24, 2008
Arline Clyburn, whose 23-year-old son, Alex Clyburn, died nine hours after he was admitted to Las Encinas for an addiction to painkillers, told ABCNews. com that poor monitoring led to her son's death. (ABC News)
Hope over 'early arthritis test' Aug 23, 2008
There are an estimated eight million people in the UK who have the problem in some form or another, and in severe cases patients can require constant painkillers or even joint replacement surgery. Cartilage is tough and elastic because of its high water content, and existing MRI scans look for lower levels of this as a sign that the disease is developing. (BBC News)
George Lazenby accuses Pam Shriver of relying on drugs Aug 23, 2008
Former James Bond actor George Lazenby has accused his estranged wife Pam Shriver of taking a "nightly cocktail" of prescription painkillers and driving their children while in a drug-induced "state" ... He said: "I have great concerns about Petitioner's habitual consumption of prescription painkillers, Ambien sleeping pills and rum or vodka each night and during the day."When I have expressed my grave concern to Petitioner about her combining Ambien with alcohol, she flew into a rage and... (Telegraph.co.uk)
Man jailed for 'no mercy' attack Aug 23, 2008
She had to take eight strong painkillers, received regular physiotherapy, and found it difficult to sleep. Mrs Smith had previously led an active life, the court heard. (BBC News -- UK)
Does the Alexander Technique really cure back pain? Aug 23, 2008
WHAT 00004000 are we to make of this week's news that the complementary therapy Alexander Technique is an effective treatment for long-term back pain, better than painkillers, physiotherapy, massage or exercise alone ... It seems amazing that little more than a decade ago, rest and painkillers were still standard treatment for back pain. (Times Online)
DVD reviews: Hannah Montana, Prom Night Aug 22, 2008
David Farrar stars as a British bomb-disposal expert addicted to booze and painkillers he takes for an injury while struggling with the pressures that go with an assignment to defuse a deadly new German weapon. The 1949 film comes to DVD with a new interview with Powell and Pressburgers cinematographer, Christopher Challis, excerpts from Powells audio dictations for his autobiography and commentary with film scholar Charles Barr. (MSNBC -- Movies)
Study: You can chew gum and get well at same time Aug 21, 2008
Saclarides, who was not involved in the new study, also recommended limiting the use of painkillers like morphine that cause constipation. A new drug, Adolor Corp. s drug Entereg, is now approved to treat constipation following abdominal surgery. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
DAILY DIGEST Aug 21, 2008
Partial payments for people claiming withdrawn painkiller Vioxx caused heart attacks will go out starting Aug. 28 under the $4. 85 billion settlement between drugmaker Merck nd plaintiffs' lawyers, the claims administrator said Wednesday. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Technology)
Brazil drug case leads to Cohoes arrests Aug 21, 2008
The couple are accused in court documents of receiving a package containing 215 tablets of morphine, a powerful painkiller, and 100 tablets of Ritalin, a commonly abused mild stimulant used to treat people with attention disorders ... Matthew Liebmann had previously received prescriptions for Ritalin and painkillers, but had turned to the Internet to obtain the drugs for lower prices from overseas, according to the two people familiar with the case. (Albany Times Union)
Codeine use while breastfeeding may be dangerous Aug 21, 2008
The codeine contained in a painkiller she was taking while breastfeeding ended up being fatal for her baby. Painkillers like Tylenol 3 contains codeine, which the bodies of some women covert to morphine ... Codeine, found in painkillers like Tylenol 3, had been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for use in women who were breastfeeding. (CTV.ca)
Medicine-bottle labels designed to aid seniors Aug 21, 2008
One evening, he accidentally took the wrong painkiller, although he did not suffer any problem beyond drowsiness. Still, with kids in the house and an inability to read medicine-bottle labels without the aid of trifocals, Llacuna said that he would be reassured if able to place Medi-Rings on his bottles. (AZCentral -- Business)
At last, the cure for back pain? Aug 21, 2008
Sam Murphy: At last, the cure for back pain. At last, the cure for back pain. (guardian.co.uk)
E-Prescription Networks to Merge Aug 21, 2008
And the Drug Enforcement Agency is considering ending its ban on e-prescribing for controlled substances such as certain painkillers. There is no per-prescription cost to doctors or patients for using the service. (Yahoo News -- Health Care)
Upscale SoCal psychiatric center sees 3 deaths Aug 21, 2008
The next day Alex Clyburn, 23, was checked in by his family after taking large doses of the painkiller OxyContin and the anti-anxiety medication Xanax. The hospital gave him other medications, the state report said, and assigned a mental health worker to check on him every 15 minutes. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Alexander Technique 'can help you beat chronic back pain' Aug 21, 2008
The Hindu News Update Service. The HinduPrint Edition. (Hindu)
Deputy fire chief to be arraigned Aug 20, 2008
In April, a Boston firefighter on disability leave was charged with buying $200 worth of painkillers illegally at an MBTA station. Another firefighter was arrested in March by Boston police, who charged him with smoking marijuana in a department vehicle in Dorchester. (Boston Globe)
NH teen charged in connection with drug death Aug 20, 2008
He was charged with selling a painkiller, Fentanyl, to 18-year-old Evan Schwager, who was found unconscious in his family's home on May 10. Schwager, a senior at West High School, later died at Catholic Medical Center. (Concord Monitor)
Clown robber gets eight years A man who dressed up like a clown to rob the CVS in Fredericksburg last year was ordered yesterday to serve eight years in prison. Aug 20, 2008
Coleman had seven people in court, including Kaiser, who claimed they'd become addicted to painkillers because the doctor routinely wrote unneeded prescriptions in exchange for under-the-table payoffs. Coleman said the doctor is being investigated by the FBI; he apparently has not yet been charged with any criminal offenses. (Fredericksburg.com, VA)
Pain Therapeutics Remoxy shows strong Phase III data Aug 20, 2008
-based King (NYSE: KG) agreed in 2005 to develop and commercialize Remoxy and other abuse-resistant opioid painkillers. Reader Comments. (San Francisco Business Times, CA)
