overdose | CARLAT PUBLISHING

Research Update

Methamphetamines and Opioid-Related Overdose Risk

April 1, 2023

Peter J. Farago, MD. Dr. Farago has no financial relationships with companies related to this material.

Researchers provide a detailed glimpse into the chaotic state of the illicit opioid supply and show that the potentially dangerous misconception that methamphetamines can be used as an opioid overdose reversal agent is widespread.

A Single Prescriber Reduces Risk of Overdose in Patients on Opioid and Benzodiazepine

September 25, 2022

Kamron Fariba, MD

Kamron Fariba, MD. Dr. Fariba, author of this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

This large study suggests a practical solution to reduce mortality in patients who are taking both benzodiazepines and opioids.

How to Safely Prescribe Z-Drugs

August 13, 2020

There’s good reason to be careful prescribing Z-drugs. Here’s an overview of Dr. Reban Aziz’s recent article in The Carlat Addiction Treatment Report.Safety Tips Go short-term or intermittent to reduce the potential for adverse events and withdrawal. Avoid for SUD or complex sleep disorders. Use as last resort after considering...

EXPERT Q&A

Benzodiazepines: Old Medicines, New Concerns

June 10, 2020

Kenneth Morford, MD

Kenneth Morford, MD
Assistant Professor and Program Director, Collaborative Behavioral Health & Addiction Medicine in Primary Care (CHAMP) at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Morford has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Benzodiazepine use is on the rise, and is implicated with a significant portion of opioid-related overdose deaths. Dr. Morford gives the latest on benzodiazepine prevalence and suggests strategies to employ in addiction treatment settings when working with patients who use benzodiazepines.

Predicting and Preventing Fatal Opioid Overdoses

March 30, 2020

Kristen Gardner, PharmD

Kristen Gardner, PharmD Dr. Gardner has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

In addition to when we prescribe opioids, there are other opportunities and interactions patients have with the health care system upon which we can intervene to mitigate overdose risk. This study describes some of those opportunities, many of which happen every day in addiction clinics.

Harm Reduction Strategies—A Primer

February 11, 2020

To minimize harm and optimize safety among people who use drugs, particularly injections drugs, learn the nuts and bolts of naloxone distribution, syringe exchange, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, and fentanyl testing.

EXPERT Q&A

The Clinician’s Role: Reducing Harm Among People Who Use Drugs

February 11, 2020

Kimberly Sue, MD, PhD

Kimberly Sue, MD, PhD
Medical Director of the Harm Reduction Coalition (www.harmreduction.org). Attending physician at Rikers Island Correctional Health Services, NY. Dr. Sue has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Addiction researcher and medical director of the Harm Reduction Coalition shares her approach to patients and provides state-specific resources for clinicians interested in connecting with harm reduction resources locally.

How to Talk to Patients About the Risk of Opioid Overdose

February 11, 2020

How do you engage patients in discussion surrounding overdose risk? Learn some evidence-based strategies that will build trust, be accessible and understandable to patients, and empower them to use as safely as possible.

Treating Addiction in Patients Transitioning to/from Incarceration

August 1, 2019

Karen Cropsey, PsyD

Karen Cropsey, PsyD

Conatser Turner Endowed Professor of Psychiatry, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Dr. Cropsey has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Addiction treatment during incarceration is limited, and release from incarceration presents its own set of challenges. In this QA interview, Dr. Karen Cropsey discusses effective treatment options for patients with substance use disorders transitioning to or from incarceration.

New Generic Versions of Naloxone

August 1, 2019

Talia Puzantian, PharmD, BCPP.

Talia Puzantian, PharmD, BCPP. Dr. Puzantian has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Naloxone, a rescue medication effective for reversing opioid overdose, will soon be available in two generic forms for layperson use. This news of note summarizes these generic, lower-cost products.