From the Chair

Alexis M. LaPietra, DO, Interim ChairWelcome, everyone, to the ACEP Pain Management and Addiction Medicine (PMAM) Section! This is our first newsletter as an official ACEP section. It is a very exciting time in emergency medicine pain management and addiction, as the College is making efforts to help its members learn more about both areas. At ACEP16, there were quite a few resolutions involving pain and addiction, and I look forward to the Council meeting this year at ACEP17, as I know there will be much more discussion on both topics!

ACEP17 in Washington, DC

We hope you will plan to attend the section meeting, which is scheduled for Sunday, October 29^h from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in the Marquis Ballroom.

The meeting will include a business portion (including elections), education, and an opportunity to network with your peers. Click here to read all info and guidelines for the meeting now. 

Pain Pearls

Christine A. DeFranco, DO, Interim Newsletter Editor
Nicholas Mota, DO, Interim Associate Newsletter Editor

1. For the management of acute musculoskeletal pain, a multi-modality approach with non-opioid analgesics, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and lidoderm patch, provides comprehensive and effective targeted analgesia. A recent Cochrane review highlights the use of ibuprofen 400 mg + acetaminophen 1000 mg as being the most successful combination.
2. Ibuprofen has an analgesic ceiling of ~400 mg, with the anti-inflammatory ceiling being ~800 mg. However, the additional reduction in inflammation did not translate into superior analgesia.