Opioids Put Alzheimer's Patients at Risk of Pneumonia: Study

FRIDAY, June 7, 2019 -- People with Alzheimer's disease who take opioid painkillers are more likely to develop pneumonia, Finnish researchers report.

The overall odds are 30% higher, especially in the first two months of use, the researchers found. And the risk is highest for those taking strong opioids such as oxycodone or fentanyl.

Another Study Casts Doubt on Safety of Herbal Drug Kratom

THURSDAY, July 18, 2019 -- The herbal supplement kratom regularly causes serious side effects and doesn't appear safe for use, a new study argues.

Kratom, made from the leaves of a Southeast Asian plant, is usually used to treat pain and addiction. But poison control center data shows it has been tied to seizures, withdrawal, hallucinations, agitation and rapid heart rate, researchers report.

Opioids Prescribed in Hospital Often Tied to Long-Term Use

MONDAY, June 17, 2019 -- People given opioids for the first time in the hospital are likely to continue getting them for months after, a new study reports.

A University of Pittsburgh team found that those first-timers are twice as likely to receive more opioids after discharge than patients who were not given opioids (such as oxycodone) in the hospital.