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The History of Synthetic Opioids

The use of plant materials to relieve suffering, treat illness or conduct religious ceremonies has a long history. Occasionally, the Industry News will look more closely at the history of a standard drug of interest in the toxicology industry. In the late 1920s the world

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The History of Naloxone

Widely heralded as the “antidote” to opioid overdoses, naloxone was first patented in New York in 1961 by scientists looking to treat constipation caused by chronic opioid use. Despite being related to morphine, naloxone has almost no painkilling properties, but researchers quickly recognized its ability

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Fentanyl Deaths Continue to Rise

New data on synthetic opioids show an alarming number of overdose deaths due to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid available both as a prescription and increasingly on the black market. Currently 18 states and the District of Columbia show increases in fentanyl overdose deaths in 2015. Between

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Substance Abuse Treatment: Where Are We?

Because the opioid epidemic is such a critical issue to both our nation and our industry, the Cordant news section is launching its first-ever series to look more in-depth at substance use disorder and its treatment options. This first article introduces this complex problem. Later

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FDA Approves New Abuse-Deterrent ER Hydrocodone Tablet

The FDA has approved a new formulation of abuse-deterrent extended-release hydrocodone called Vantrela ER (hydrocodone bitartrate). Developed by Teva, the medication is suggested for management of severe pain that requires all-day, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. Concerned about the

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Unintentional Injury Deaths On the Rise, CDC Reports

In its recent report on leading causes of death in the United States, the CDC estimates that the number of potentially preventable deaths decreased from 2010 to 2014 for three of the five leading causes of death (cancer, stroke and heart disease). However, deaths due

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President Proclaims Opioid Awareness Week

In order to shine a spotlight on the skyrocketing numbers of opioid-related overdoses, President Obama today declared the nation’s first Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week. Since 1999, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids, including prescription opioid pain relievers, heroin, and fentanyl, has

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Overdose Victims Increasing Organ Donations

Newly gathered statistics show a rapid increase in the number of organs being donated from victims who died of opioid overdoses. According to data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, 848 organ donors died of drug intoxication in 2015, a significant jump in this category

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