Tapentadol the most used opioid in Australia, study finds
Tapentadol has overtaken oxycodone as the most prescribed opioid in Australia, according to research that shows its use increased fivefold between 2015 and 2022. The…
Tag: Pain management
Taking NSAIDs with NOACs doubles the risk of bleeding, new research shows
The risk of internal bleeding doubles if patients on oral anticoagulants for VTE also take an NSAID, research suggests. The first large-scale study of its…
‘My message to all clinicians is that delayed diagnosis can be devastating’: Endocrinologist on rare bone diseases
The endocrinologist warns that patients are missing out on innovative treatments
Doctors warned by Health Minister to ‘brace themselves’ for accusations of misogyny following women’s pain inquiry
Doctors have been warned to “brace themselves” for the findings from an inquiry into women’s pain that is said to have unearthed stories of misogyny…
Benefits of antidepressants ‘unclear’ for chronic pain in older patients: Aussie study
Antidepressants are widely prescribed to patients aged 65 and older for chronic pain but there is little evidence of benefits, Australian researchers say. Their meta-analysis…
‘Guess the script I’ve run out of’ — the essential GP skill that’s neglected in CPD
Mind-reading, although never formally taught in medical school, and a completely neglected topic in CPD, is an absolutely essential skill for GPs. My patient sat…
Opioid prescribing controls almost halved oxycodone use, study suggests
Oxycodone use fell 45% between 2019 and 2020, with no significant rebound since, Australian wastewater analysis suggests. Researchers have attributed the decline to policies including…
GP referral networks crucial to stop cowboy cannabis prescribers, says top doctor
Knowing local GPs who prescribe medicinal cannabis is key to protecting patients from the “perfunctory” prescribers, says NSW Health’s chief addiction medicine specialist. Sydney GP…
Is implanting spinal cord stimulators for pain really the next pelvic mesh scandal?
For months, private health insurers have been demanding that the TGA stop doctors implanting spinal cord stimulators. Private Healthcare Australia says the devices, which involve…
Treat pelvic pain even without an endometriosis diagnosis: anaesthetists
An endometriosis diagnosis should not be necessary for doctors to start treating persistent pelvic pain, according to the peak body for anaesthetists. Last week, the…
