Melody Woolf’s Post

Kratom for Pain Relief Kratom’s Unique Approach to Pain Relief Kratom diverges from traditional opioids in its mechanism for pain management. Unlike opioids, it lacks beta-arrestin-2 recruitment, potentially reducing side effects. Moreover, it may engage alternative pathways for pain relief, offering a promising alternative. Explore more about kratom's distinct properties: “Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the primary active alkaloids responsible for the effects of kratom. Despite its interaction with opioid receptors, mitragynine is not structurally similar to traditional opioid medications.” “Another key difference between kratom and traditional opioids is the lack of beta-arrestin-2 recruitment, which may explain the reduced side effects and risk of respiratory depression seen with kratom” “There is also evidence to suggest kratom has anti-inflammatory effects from cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition.” https://lnkd.in/grzM79nS [

Discovering Kratom's Unique Approach to Pain Relief Kratom diverges from traditional opioids in its mechanism for pain management. Unlike opioids, it lacks beta-arrestin-2 recruitment, potentially reducing side effects. Moreover, it may engage alternative pathways for pain relief, offering a promising alternative. Explore more about kratom's distinct properties: “Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the primary active alkaloids responsible for the effects of kratom. Despite its interaction with opioid receptors, mitragynine is not structurally similar to traditional opioid medications.” “Another key difference between kratom and traditional opioids is the lack of beta-arrestin-2 recruitment, which may explain the reduced side effects and risk of respiratory depression seen with kratom” “There is also evidence to suggest kratom has anti-inflammatory effects from cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition.” https://lnkd.in/grzM79nS

A bit of *good* news ICYMI. 💡 We now have a breakthrough in pain management with the approval of Vertex's JOURNAVX, an oral voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV) inhibitor. This marks the first new class of pain medicine approved in more than 20 years. Giving providers more tools to help patients live healthier, more pain-free lives may reduce the need for opioid prescriptions and open new pathways for pain management. https://lnkd.in/ePayVrrK

Understanding opioids is crucial for effective pain management, as well as for minimizing risks associated with their use. Here’s a breakdown of some common opioids, listed from the strongest to the weakest: 1. Fentanyl Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids, up to 100 times stronger than morphine. It's widely used in surgical settings and for managing severe pain in cancer patients. Due to its potency, even small dosing errors can be life-threatening. 2. Hydromorphone Hydromorphone is significantly stronger than morphine and is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It's often administered in hospitals for post-surgical pain or when other painkillers aren't effective. 3. Oxycodone Oxycodone is prescribed for managing moderate to severe pain. It comes in both immediate-release and extended-release formulations, making it a common choice for chronic pain. 4. Morphine Morphine remains a standard opioid for comparing the potency of other pain medications. It is widely used to treat both acute and chronic pain. 5. Hydrocodone Hydrocodone is used for moderate to severe pain, often in combination with acetaminophen. It’s frequently prescribed for pain relief following surgeries or injuries. 6. Codeine Codeine is a weaker opioid often used for mild to moderate pain and is commonly found in combination with other pain relievers or in cough syrups. 7. Tramadol Although tramadol is an opioid, it is less potent than the others listed and is typically used for moderate pain. While its risk for addiction is lower, it still requires careful use. Opioids can be life-changing for those in severe pain, but their potential for addiction and overdose means they must be used responsibly. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication. #Opioids #PainManagement #Healthcare #Pharmacy #PatientSafety #ChronicPain #AddictionPrevention #MedicalEducation #LinkedInCommunity #PharmaceuticalCare #HealthAwareness

The FDA has not approved a single first-in-class pain killer in two decades. This one just got approved and it’s $15.5 per pill! Yesterday FDA approved Vertex Pharmaceuticals’s #Journavx, the first new class of pain medicine in over 20 years. This non-opioid oral therapy targets the sodium channels, blocking pain signals in the periphery—without affecting the brain. Unlike traditional painkillers like #ibuprofen and #acetaminophen, which work broadly and can have side effects, or #opioids, which carry a high risk of addiction, Journavx selectively blocks pain signals in the peripheral nervous system—without affecting the brain. This means effective pain relief without the addictive potential or central nervous system side effects. In clinical trials, Journavx matched the efficacy of opioid-acetaminophen combinations, marking a major step forward in safe, targeted pain management. I hope Journavx is the beginning of a new chapter in non-addictive, targeted therapies, and that we’ll see more first-in-class treatments like this in the years ahead! 🚀

BACK PAIN TREATMENTS: ARE THEY WORKING? These are the statistics In 2023, the global spending on pain management drugs, including those used to treat chronic back pain, was significant. The chronic pain treatment market, which includes medications like NSAIDs, opioids, and antidepressants used for back pain, was valued at approximately USD 81.15 billion in 2023. This market is projected to grow further, reaching over USD 115.50 billion by 2032. Chronic lower back pain alone contributes a considerable portion, with spending expected to be around USD 2.4 billion globally in 2023. And this is inspite of all of our current techniques and modalities across ALL MSK discuplines See the link below that the Lancet 3 year investigation across the globe into the efficacy of various treatents for LBP: published in the Australian Physiotherapy Journal in 2018. They came to the conclusion that what we are doing is not working and "we need to find a better way". their words. In my opinion this failure of our clients is something we need to remedy. If you want to know how I stopped treating symptoms and started getting results I was proud of for my clients and you want to know more then put into the comments box below 'IM IN' And I'll send you the detalis Link for Lancet Article: file:///C:/Users/Julie/Desktop/ASSETS%20for%20NMO%20Workshops/Lancet%20Article%20and%20Lorimer%20Mosleley%20on%20LBP/LANCET%20ARTICLE%20lowbackpain20190523_14575470.pdf

🚨 Breaking News in Pain Management: A Game-Changer is Here! 🚨 The FDA has just approved Suzetrigine (Journavx)—the first new class of pain medication in 25 years! Developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, this non-opioid analgesic targets the NaV1.8 sodium channel, offering effective acute pain relief without the risks of addiction and dependence associated with opioids. 💡 Why is this groundbreaking? ✔️ New Mechanism of Action – Selectively inhibits pain signal transmission ✔️ Comparable to Opioids – Matches hydrocodone’s efficacy in acute pain studies ✔️ Non-Addictive – A safer alternative in the fight against opioid dependency This marks a paradigm shift in pain management, providing physicians and patients with a long-awaited alternative to opioids. While it may not be effective for all pain types (e.g., sciatica-related pain), its potential for post-surgical and acute pain relief is truly revolutionary. 👩⚕️💊 As a pharmacist and business leader in the healthcare industry, I see this as a milestone in patient care. The need for effective, safer pain treatments has never been greater, and Journavx could be a turning point in pain relief strategies. What do you think? Could this reshape the future of pain management? Let’s discuss! ⬇️ #HealthcareInnovation #PainManagement #Journavx #NonOpioid #PharmaBreakthrough #MedicalAdvances #Pharmacy #BusinessOfHealthu

🔍 Key Insights from Research: Shift Toward Opioid Prescriptions for Pain Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic 🔍 A significant study by Byungkyu Lee, Kai-Cheng Yang, Patrick Kaminski, Siyun Peng, Meltem Odabas, Sumedha Gupta, Harold D Green, Yong-Yeol Ahn, and Brea L Perry revealed how the pandemic disrupted pain management practices in 2020: 📉 Nonpharmacologic therapies (like physical therapy and complementary medicine) dropped by 6% compared to 2019. 📈 Opioid prescriptions increased by 3.5%, with longer and stronger prescriptions becoming more common. This shift raises concerns about the long-term effects on the ongoing opioid crisis, as limited access to non-opioid treatments likely led to more opioid reliance. The findings emphasize the need to address the unintended consequences of reduced access to alternative pain therapies during times of medical restrictions. https://lnkd.in/deGUPUfy #OpioidCrisis #PainManagement #COVID19Impact #HealthcarePolicy #PhysicalTherapy #ComplementaryMedicine

Understanding opioids is crucial for effective pain management, as well as for minimizing risks associated with their use. Here’s a breakdown of some common opioids, listed from the strongest to the weakest: 1. Fentanyl Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids, up to 100 times stronger than morphine. It's widely used in surgical settings and for managing severe pain in cancer patients. Due to its potency, even small dosing errors can be life-threatening. 2. Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) Hydromorphone is significantly stronger than morphine and is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It's often administered in hospitals for post-surgical pain or when other painkillers aren't effective. 3. Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet) Oxycodone is prescribed for managing moderate to severe pain. It comes in both immediate-release and extended-release formulations, making it a common choice for chronic pain. 4. Morphine Morphine remains a standard opioid for comparing the potency of other pain medications. It is widely used to treat both acute and chronic pain. 5. Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco) Hydrocodone is used for moderate to severe pain, often in combination with acetaminophen. It’s frequently prescribed for pain relief following surgeries or injuries. 6. Codeine Codeine is a weaker opioid often used for mild to moderate pain and is commonly found in combination with other pain relievers or in cough syrups. 7. Tramadol Although tramadol is an opioid, it is less potent than the others listed and is typically used for moderate pain. While its risk for addiction is lower, it still requires careful use. Opioids can be life-changing for those in severe pain, but their potential for addiction and overdose means they must be used responsibly. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication. #Opioids #PainManagement #Healthcare #Pharmacy #PatientSafety #ChronicPain #AddictionPrevention #MedicalEducation #LinkedInCommunity #PharmaceuticalCare #HealthAwareness

New pain medication approvals are few and far between, so Vertex's approval for their novel acute pain therapeutic Journavx is a pretty big deal. It won't be cheap while on patent, but it will be fantastic to add a super safe, non-addictive options to opioids to pain management for patients. Journavx will have a tough time competing against generic ibuprofen and acetaminophen, but it's not hard to see patients getting this prescribed before hydrocodone or other similar painkillers. With the extreme cost associated with the opioid epidemic (estimated at $1.5 trillion), the price must be considered somewhat offset by societal savings alone. https://lnkd.in/gUG7jreF