Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Buprenorphine, Liraglutide Could Be A Promising Combination

An analysis in Stat shared recent findings from the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference that indicate liraglutide–the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication used for weight loss—significantly reduced opioid cravings for patients in a small randomized controlled trial. The 20 patients used anti-obesity drugs for opioid use disorder for 3 weeks, and those using liraglutide experienced a 40% reduction in opioid cravings, even when the lowest dose was used. Ramp up recovery: Buprenorphine is the …

New Approaches to Opioid Abuse Zero in on Physicians

As researchers and legislators in some states consider restrictions on physicians to write prescriptions for opioid pain medications, new research indicates there could be a way to continue prescribing safely—albeit a way that is likely to raise some eyebrows. First, in Indiana, the state hospital association, medical association, and health department have pooled their resources to create guidelines for physicians in the state. In a nutshell, they’re advising physicians to cut back on prescribing opioids …

In New England, a New Urgent Care Approach to Fighting Opioid Abuse

Boston Medical Center has launched a new concept in both urgent care and the fight against opioid abuse by opening an opioid urgent care center that aims to give patients faster access to substance abuse treatment. Faster Paths to Treatment will be operated in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, which provided a 4-year, $2.9 million grant, and the Boston Public Health Commission. It will offer inpatient and outpatient services to help individuals …

Urgent Care Signs Up for the War Against Opioid Abuse

Eighty urgent care centers in Los Angeles County, California are closing ranks in an effort to stem runaway abuse of opioid analgesics. Working in concert with the county health department, Safe Med LA signees pledge to follow opioid prescribing guidelines established by the American Academy of Emergency Medicine; to consider screening more patients for opioid misuse or addiction; and to stop refilling “lost” opioid prescriptions and scripts written for chronic pain. Urgent care centers started …