Controlled-release opioids may lead to endocarditis in injection drug users

Controlled-release opioids may lead to endocarditis in injection drug users

Controlled-release opioids may lead to endocarditis in injection drug users

A new study from ICES, Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University suggests that injection drug users prescribed controlled-release hydromorphone are three times more likely to develop endocarditis, a serious bacterial heart infection, when compared to those prescribed other opioids.