NIH-Funded Research Supports “Eat, Sleep, Console” Approach for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal
On April 30, The New England Journal of Medicine published findings highlighting the positive impacts of the Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC) approach on neonatal opioid withdrawal treatment. Researchers compared ESC methods, which encourages a low-stimulation environment, swaddling, skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and parental involvement, to the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Tool (FNAST). The study included 1,305 infants in 26 hospitals across the U.S., including rural and underserved communities and hospitals were randomly transitioned from the FNAST approach to ESC at different times. Findings suggest that ESC was more effective for managing opioid-exposed newborns. On average, newborns that received ESC treatment were discharged 6.7 days earlier and 63% less likely to need medication for treatment. The research supports ESC as a reliable and effective address for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). This research was conducted as part of the National Institute of Health (NIH) Advancing Clinical Trials in Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal (ACT NOW) Collaborative and the NIH Helping End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative.
Articles & Resources
NIH—”Eat, Sleep Console” Reduces Hospital Stay and Need for Medication Among Opioid-Exposed Infants
The New England Journal of Medicine – Eat, Sleep, Console Approach or Usual Care for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal
DEA Extends Current Telemedicine Flexibilities, including Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
In a press release issued May 3, 2023, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram confirmed that DEA had submitted rules to continue telemedicine flexibilities post-public health emergency (May 11, 2023). This announcement comes after the comment process on the DEA’s initial rule, which placed barriers and restrictions on telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances, including buprenorphine. That proposed rule received 38,000+ comments from patient groups, individuals, industry, trade associations, and providers. The DEA is reviewing other paths to continuing telemedicine prescribing with appropriate safeguards.
Articles & Resources
DEA—Statement from the DEA Administrator Anne Milgram on COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications
DOJ’s International Operation Against Darknet Trafficking of Fentanyl and Opioids Shows Results
In a press release issued May 3, 2023, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram confirmed that DEA had submitted rules to continue telemedicine flexibilities post-public health emergency (May 11, 2023). This announcement comes after the comment process on the DEA’s initial rule, which placed barriers and restrictions on telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances, including buprenorphine. That proposed rule received 38,000+ comments from patient groups, individuals, industry, trade associations, and providers. The DEA is reviewing other paths to continuing telemedicine prescribing with appropriate safeguards.
Articles & Resources
DOJ—Largest International Operation Against Darknet Trafficking of Fentanyl and Opioids Results in Record Arrests and Seizures
What We Read Last Week
Several articles were published last week pertaining to the opioid epidemic, covering a variety of different components of the topic. Links to relevant articles are provided below.
Associated Press—Pennsylvania Votes to Ban Safe Injection Sites
NPR—How Are States Spending Opioid Settlement Funds?
PLOS One—Characteristics and Impact of Physical Activity Interventions During Substance Use Disorder Treatment Excluding Tobacco: A Systematic Overview
Washington Post—Xylazine Fentanyl Drug Mix Leading to More Overdose Deaths
Yale News—Study Identifies Compounds that Ease Depression, Opioid Withdrawal in Mice
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