Anthony Benjamín Ayala-Inga, Erik Saúl Ayala-Inga, Carlos Alberto Dávila-Hernandez
{"title":"Acute Kounis Syndrome Induced by Tramadol: A Case Report.","authors":"Anthony Benjamín Ayala-Inga, Erik Saúl Ayala-Inga, Carlos Alberto Dávila-Hernandez","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2025.2600075","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2025.2600075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Kounis syndrome is an under-recognized condition characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of acute coronary syndrome and hypersensitivity reactions. While opioids are known triggers, tramadol-induced Kounis syndrome is extremely rare. A 49-year-old woman with a history of allergy to dimenhydrinate and chronic low back pain developed anaphylactic shock 4 min after receiving 50 mg of subcutaneous tramadol. She developed with dyspnea, glottic edema, muscle rigidity, chest pain, and hypotension. After stabilization with epinephrine, corticosteroids, antihistamines, fluids, and vasopressors, elevated cardiac biomarkers were detected. Electrocardiograms and echocardiography were normal. Coronary CT and invasive angiography revealed no obstructive coronary artery disease. A diagnosis of Kounis syndrome was established. This case highlights the importance of considering Kounis syndrome in patients presenting with anaphylaxis and chest pain, even in the absence of ECG changes. Early hemodynamic stabilization followed by cardiac evaluation is essential for timely diagnosis and management.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"343-348"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145768352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arienne Serniak, Pamela J McCormick, Marci L Pursglove, Michael R Gionfriddo, Nicole M Verdecchia, Vladislav I Shick
{"title":"Safety Analysis of IV Methadone vs. IV Hydromorphone in Post-Procedural Adults.","authors":"Arienne Serniak, Pamela J McCormick, Marci L Pursglove, Michael R Gionfriddo, Nicole M Verdecchia, Vladislav I Shick","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2615074","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2615074","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IV Methadone may be used post-procedurally to manage pain; however, it carries risks of respiratory depression and QTc prolongation. The purpose of this study is to compare safety profiles of multiple doses of intravenous (IV) methadone and IV hydromorphone in post-procedural patients. The primary outcome was incidence of respiratory event, defined as oxygen saturation (O<sub>2</sub>Sat) less than 90%, respiratory rate less than 8 breaths per minute (bpm), increased supplemental oxygen, or naloxone administration within 24 h of IV methadone or hydromorphone. Secondary outcomes included incidence of QTc prolongation and additional opioid, benzodiazepine, or ketamine doses. After exclusion assessment, 154 patients met inclusion criteria. Patients were grouped by receiving methadone (<i>n</i> = 85) or hydromorphone (<i>n</i> = 69). The primary outcome occurred 111 times in the methadone group and 40 times in the hydromorphone group (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Among patients who had a respiratory event, patients who received methadone had more respiratory events compared to those who received hydromorphone (IRR: 2.25, 95% CI (1.56-3.32), <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Patients who received methadone also received more opioid and ketamine doses (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Post-procedural methadone may be unsafe due to increased incidence of respiratory events, possible because of methadone's long half-life causing drug accumulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"195-200"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146010118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Case Report: Sublingual Levodopa in Advanced Multiple System Atrophy.","authors":"Monica De Leon, Mark Lee, Jonathan Hindmarsh","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2653551","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2653551","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Multiple System Atrophy is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by parkinsonism and autonomic dysfunction. Dysphagia and gastric dysmotility in advanced disease often compromise enteral medication absorption, limiting the effectiveness of standard oral or PEG-administered levodopa. We report a case of advanced MSA in which sublingual administration of co-beneldopa provided rapid and reliable relief from severe motor \"off\" episodes when enteral therapy failed. This novel approach bypassed gastrointestinal absorption, improved symptom control, and enhanced patient comfort in a palliative setting. Further research is warranted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sublingual levodopa in similar contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"375-379"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147816474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Heather Curtis, Naomi Bailey, Kyla Dickey, Joseph Ineck
{"title":"Transdermal Buprenorphine Dosing Interval Optimization from 7 Days to 5 Days: A Case Series.","authors":"Heather Curtis, Naomi Bailey, Kyla Dickey, Joseph Ineck","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2653549","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2653549","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Patients on transdermal buprenorphine can experience end-of-dose failure, leading to inadequate analgesia and increased reliance on rescue medications. This case series aims to evaluate the efficacy of reducing the dosing interval of buprenorphine transdermal patches from seven days to five days in patients experiencing a wearing-off effect. Three cases of male patients with chronic pain were analyzed. Each patient transitioned to buprenorphine therapy due to inadequate analgesia with their current opioid regimen. Adjustments in dosing intervals were made based on reported end-of-dose failure. Patients reported improved pain control and functionality after switching to a five-day dosing interval. Therefore, shortening the dosing interval of buprenorphine transdermal patches to five days may enhance analgesic efficacy and patient safety by minimizing end-of-dose failure and reducing the need for rescue medications.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"369-374"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147618850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maria Cristina Pedrazini, Thereza Cristina Pedrazini de Castilho, Victor Augusto Benedicto Dos Santos
{"title":"Similarity of Packaging Bottles: A Risk to Consumption of Controlled Drugs.","authors":"Maria Cristina Pedrazini, Thereza Cristina Pedrazini de Castilho, Victor Augusto Benedicto Dos Santos","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2025.2606257","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2025.2606257","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"177-181"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145994375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluating Methadone as Treatment for Refractory Cancer-Induced Bone Pain.","authors":"Lindsey Dahlquist, Rebecca Peterson, Rachel Cook, Joshua Jacoby, Tyler Fenton, Kamah Ellena","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2613836","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2613836","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This retrospective chart review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of methadone for cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) in inpatient and outpatient settings. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the change in pain scores utilizing the numeric rating scale (NRS) after 28 days of receiving methadone therapy compared to previous failed opioids trialed. Secondary objectives included assessing the daily total morphine milliequivalent (MME) of breakthrough opioid medications required, change in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) scores before and after the initiation of methadone. Twenty-seven patients with CIBP received at least twenty-eight days of methadone between January 2020 and August 2024. Reported pain scores utilizing the NRS prior to the initiation of methadone and after at least twenty-eight days of methadone therapy were 7 (IQR 5,8) and 4 (IQR 4,5) respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.013). Reported amount of breakthrough MME prior to methadone and after twenty-eight days of methadone were 90 MME and 31 MME respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.021). No change was seen in ECOG or PPS scores before [1.0 ± 1.02]; (70% (IQR 60%,80%]) and after [1.5 ± 0.831]; (70% (IQR 60%,80%)) methadone, respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.104); (<i>p</i> = 0.855). Methadone demonstrated effectiveness in reducing pain and the amount of breakthrough medication needed in patients with CIBP.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"187-194"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145933889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lauren Shiplett, Neil K Shah, Nicholas Field, Stephen Gruver, Anita Hu
{"title":"Clinical Pharmacist-Led Low-Dose Buprenorphine Initiations (Microinductions): A Case Series.","authors":"Lauren Shiplett, Neil K Shah, Nicholas Field, Stephen Gruver, Anita Hu","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2624497","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2624497","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid approved for pain and opioid use disorder (OUD). A challenge in its initiation is the risk of precipitated withdrawal if a large sublingual buprenorphine dose is administered too soon after a full mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonist. This experience can be so discomforting that it might prevent further efforts to transition patients to an otherwise safe and effective treatment for OUD and/or chronic pain. Recent evidence supports a newer initiation method that may not carry as great of a risk, known as low-dose buprenorphine initiations (LDBI). While current literature demonstrates LDBIs in addiction medicine extensively, there is limited evidence detailing its use in pain, and even less detailing LDBIs led by clinical pharmacy practitioners. This case series describes five successful pharmacist-led LDBIs at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) among patients with chronic pain and/or OUD who required urgent transitions from their full MOR agonist to sublingual buprenorphine where a standard induction strategy would have been highly challenging and unrealistic. These cases demonstrate the versatility and clinical utility of LDBI across a variety of urgent clinical settings with unique baseline opioid regimens and continue to reinforce its possible role as a first-line induction strategy for buprenorphine.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"355-365"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146213433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Does Baclofen Really Have a Role in the Management of Acute Lower Backpain: A Prospective Study.","authors":"Bushu Harna, Shivali Arya, Aditya Banta","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2649366","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2649366","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acute lower back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal condition with significant clinical and socioeconomic impact. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants are frequently prescribed; however, the additional benefit of combination therapy remains uncertain. This prospective, double-blinded, randomized comparative study evaluated the efficacy of etoricoxib alone versus etoricoxib combined with baclofen in patients aged 18-65 years with acute mechanical LBP of less than 6 weeks' duration. A total of 310 patients were allocated into two groups: Group A (n = 150) received etoricoxib 60 mg twice daily with topical diclofenac gel, while Group B (n = 160) received etoricoxib 60 mg plus baclofen 20 mg twice daily, along with topical diclofenac gel. All patients underwent standardized physiotherapy, including core strengthening and interferential therapy. Pain and functional outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) at baseline and day 6. Both groups showed significant improvement (p < 0.001), with no significant intergroup differences at day 6 (VAS: p = 0.21; ODI: p = 0.18; RMDQ: p = 0.23). Etoricoxib alone provides comparable short-term outcomes, and routine addition of baclofen may not offer additional benefit.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"223-229"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147627968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Optimizing Postoperative Opioid Prescribing in Veterans Undergoing Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasties.","authors":"Taylor Lueder, Brittany Faley, Tamara Dixon","doi":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2621756","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15360288.2026.2621756","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Opioid prescribing following orthopedic surgeries, such as total hip arthroplasties (THA) and total knee arthroplasties (TKA), is a critical focus area given the risks of dependence, adverse effects, and overprescribing. This single-center, retrospective quality improvement study evaluated postoperative opioid prescribing patterns among 142 opioid-naïve Veterans discharged from the Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center (KCVAMC) following THA or TKA between September 2023 and September 2024. Patients who underwent TKA received higher inpatient and discharge morphine equivalent daily doses (MEDD) than THA patients, despite similar pain scores. Notably, 11% of patients were discharged with opioids despite no inpatient opioid use in the 24-h period immediately preceding discharge. The findings from this study reveal inconsistent prescribing and documentation practices, highlighting opportunities to improve care. Recommendations include implementing a standardized multimodal analgesia discharge order set with guideline-concordant opioid quantities, encouragement of non-opioid analgesic use, and inclusion of a naloxone prescription.</p>","PeriodicalId":16645,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"201-206"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146064276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}