A study published in The BMJ looks at the risk of blood clots in women taking painkillers and hormonal contraception. … read more
Millions of people around the world are prescribed antidepressants to treat chronic pain. In many countries, including the UK, regulators … read more
A meta-analysis published by Cochrane looks at the use of antidepressants for pain management in adults with chronic pain. This … read more
A study published in Science Translational Medicine looks at the acute inflammatory response and chronic pain. Dr Franziska Denk, … read more
Some people with medical conditions are prescribed long-term paracetamol, usually for chronic pain. Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have … read more
A study, published in the journal Circulation, looked at regular, long-term paracetamol use and blood pressure, in people with high blood … read more
Researchers presenting results at the Radiological Society of North America claim that minimally invasive treatment provides relief from back pain. read more
Examining possible associations between taking combinations of pharmaceutical drugs and risk of bleeding below the skull, researchers have published in The BMJ reporting an increased risk of bleeding in patients who combined antidepressants and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs compared to those who took only antidepressants. read more
Researchers publishing in Science Translational Medicine showed that measuring slow-wave activity in an individual’s brain while they are under anaesthetic offers the clearest picture yet of degrees of perceptual awareness in the brain during the period of anaesthesia. read more
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely used drugs in the world, however the full extent of side effects from all NSAIDs is still not particularly well characterised. New research published in the Lancet aims to provide much greater detail and information about the vascular and gastro-intestinal effects of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and diclofenac. read more
Research published The Lancet showed that higher-dose use of some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as diclofenac and ibuprofen, increases major vascular events by around a third, mainly by increasing the risk of heart attacks. read more
In two papers published in the European Spine Journal, a Danish team working with doctors in Birmingham found that 20-40% of patients with chronic back pain could be cured with a course of antibiotics rather than surgery. read more
Archives of Internal Medicine published a meta-review of 29 randomized controlled trials, suggesting that acupuncture may be better than no acupuncture or sham acupuncture for the treatment of some chronic pain. read more
Archives of Internal Medicine published a meta-review of 29 randomized controlled trials, suggesting that acupuncture may be better than no acupuncture or sham acupuncture for the treatment of some chronic pain. A Before the Headlines analysis was also sent out. read more
In response to a warning from the MHRA that packets of co-codamol were in circulation which almost four times the advertised strength, the SMC sent out quotes. read more
A review by the The Cochrane Library found that there is better evidence for the effectiveness of drug-based approaches for relieving labour pains than non-drug approaches. read more
A warning was issued after packs of the popular painkiller were found to contain prescription-only antipsychotic drugs. read more
The research suggested that taking certain painkillers daily over a long period of time may lead to a slightly raised risk of heart attack and stroke. read more
The research suggested that use of painkillers such as paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen during pregnancy may be linked to male reproductive disorders such as undescended testicles. read more
It’s a poorly kept secret that the NHS is not good at dealing with pain – especially of the long term chronic type that causes misery to millions worldwide. The SMC discovered that there is frenetic activity in the field of pain research and clinical practise, and invited five of the UK’s top pain researchers and clinicians to bring journalists up to date on the latest developments. read more
