By MyHealthNewsDaily Staff
Prescription narcotics were involved in more drug overdose deaths in 2007 than heroin and cocaine combined, according to a new article. And in some states, the number of deaths from prescription painkiller overdose is higher than suicide or car crashes.

Approximately 27,500 people died from unintentional prescription narcotics overdoses in 2007, driven to a large extent by prescription narcotics overdoses, said researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Narcotics pain medications were also involved in about 36 percent of all poisoning suicides in the U.S. in 2007.  » More

Pain is a pervasive complaint among elderly patients and it can be challenging for healthcare providers to treat both safely and effectively. Opioids are often a recommended option for acute or chronic pain in this population and the vast majority of elderly patients will be compliant with the prescribed therapeutic regimen; but they (and their family caregivers) must be educated on safe opioid use. » More

Drug Seeking Behavior in ER Doubles, Feeds Growing Addiction to Pain Pills -- Emergency rooms continue to become a major resource for pain medication addicts; By MIKAELA CONLEY, ABC News Medical Unit -- Oct. 28, 2010 » More

Cheryl Clark, for HealthLeaders Media, October 27, 2010
Medication and illegal drug-related problems put twice as many middle-aged and older Americans in the hospital in 2008 as in 1997, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. » More

Patients treated for pain conditions often receive an opioid analgesic and also take other prescription or non-Rx drugs, which can lead to opioid-drug interactions that have potential for adverse effects or even fatal outcomes. To avoid problems, prescribers need to be aware of all medications and other substances their patients are taking and the likelihood of toxicity resulting from their interaction. » More