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Durand L, O'Kane A, Stokes S, Bennett KE, Keenan E, Cousins G. Trends in polysubstance use among patients in methadone maintenance treatment in Ireland: Evidence from urine drug testing 2010-2020. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024:209507. [PMID: 39243981 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The benefits of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) may be compromised by the continued use of other substances during treatment. Polysubstance use has been identified as a major contributing factor to treatment discontinuation, a known risk factor for drug overdose. We examined trends in immunoassay drug positivity rates for amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine and opioids, and (2) trends in polysubstance positivity rates for drug combinations associated with increased risk of drug overdose among patients attending the national drug treatment centre in Ireland for MMT between 2010 and 2020. METHODS Repeated cross-sectional study of patients attending the national drug treatment centre (NDTC) for MMT (total N = 1942) between 2010 and 2020, focused on urine drug samples provided for testing to the NDTC clinical testing laboratory (n = 221,564). Samples were analysed using immunoassay during the study period. Mixed-effects logistic regression models evaluate time trends in drug positivity. A random intercept accounts for repeat testing of individual patients. The study reports Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) for time (per year) with 95 % Confidence Intervals (95 % CI). RESULTS Drug positivity rates increased over time for benzodiazepines (AOR 1.02, 95 % CI 1.01-1.03, p < .0001), cannabis (AOR 1.06, 95 % CI 1.05-1.08, p < .0001) and cocaine (AOR 1.28, 95 % CI 1.27-1.29, p < .0001), with decreasing trends for opioids (AOR 0.91, 95 % CI 0.91-0.92, p < .0001). Methadone and benzodiazepines were co-detected in over two-thirds of all samples during the study period. Co-detection of methadone and benzodiazepines with cocaine was also found to be increasing (AOR 1.24, 95 % CI 1.23-1.25, p < .0001), with weighted polysubstance positivity rates reaching 29.2 % in 2020. The co-detection of methadone and benzodiazepines with opioids decreased over the study period (AOR 0.92, 95 % CI 0.91-0.92, p < .0001), ranging from 36.7 % in 2010 to 26.9 % in 2020. CONCLUSION Interventions are needed to target the persistently high use of benzodiazepines among patients in receipt of methadone due to their synergistic effects with opioids on respiratory depression, enhancing the risk of overdose. The growing use of cocaine among people in MMT also needs to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Durand
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aoife O'Kane
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Siobhan Stokes
- Health Service Executive, National Drug Treatment Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kathleen E Bennett
- Data Science Centre, School of Population Health, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eamon Keenan
- National Social Inclusion Office, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gráinne Cousins
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
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Giorgetti A, Große Perdekamp M, Franchetti G, Pircher R, Pollak S, Pelotti S, Auwärter V. Intoxications involving methoxyacetylfentanyl and U-47700: a study of 3 polydrug fatalities. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:1801-1811. [PMID: 38831139 PMCID: PMC11306479 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03263-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) represent an emerging group of novel psychoactive substances, acting as agonists at the opioid receptors. NSOs include fentanyl-related compounds, e.g. methoxyacetylfentanyl (MeACF), and non-fentanyl analogs, e.g. "U compounds" including U-47700. Here we present three cases of death involving MeACF and U-47700, with particular reference to preliminary data on pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution.After a complete post-mortem examination, general unknown screenings and analysis of drugs of abuse were performed on postmortem samples by immunoassays, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. To quantify the analytes of interest in post-mortem blood and tissues, the standard addition method was used. A toxicological significance score (TSS), weighing the role of the NSO in each death case, was assigned.Case 1 died at the hospital after consumption of U-47700, methadone (serum levels: 2,600 ng/ml and 37 ng/ml), tilidine and benzodiazepines. In case 2, U-47700 (204 ng/ml) together with methadone (290 ng/ml), flubromazepam (480 ng/ml) and diazepam (300 ng/ml) were detected in peripheral blood. In case 3, methoxyacetylfentanyl (266 ng/ml), furanylfentanyl (4.3 ng/ml) 4-ANPP (15 ng/ml) and alprazolam (69 ng/ml) were quantified in femoral blood. In all cases, the NSO likely contributed to the death (TSS = 3).NSOs appear to be often consumed in the setting of polydrug intoxications, especially in combination with other opioids and benzodiazepines, which often exert synergistic effects. The standard addition method remains the most reliable in post-mortem analysis and toxicological results should always be evaluated together with circumstantial and autopsy data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Giorgetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Marcus Große Perdekamp
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Giorgia Franchetti
- Legal Medicine, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121, Padua, Italy
| | - Rebecca Pircher
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Pollak
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susi Pelotti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Griffiths PN, Seyler T, De Morais JM, Mounteney JE, Sedefov RS. Opioid problems are changing in Europe with worrying signals that synthetic opioids may play a more significant role in the future. Addiction 2024; 119:1334-1336. [PMID: 38129293 DOI: 10.1111/add.16420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
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4
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Janssen E, Vuolo M, Spilka S, Airagnes G. Predictors of concurrent heroin use among patients on opioid maintenance treatment in France: a multilevel study over 11 years. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:15. [PMID: 38243253 PMCID: PMC10799399 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-00934-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consistent reports from health professionals suggest that heroin is commonly used by patients undergoing opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) in France, potentially jeopardizing their recovery process. However, there has been no formal epidemiological assessment on the matter. METHODS We use a yearly updated compendium retrieving information on patients admitted in treatment centres in France between 2010 and 2020. Given the hierarchical nature of the data collection, we conduct 2-level modified Poisson regressions to estimate the risks of past month heroin use among patients on OMT. RESULTS Despite an overall decreasing trend over time, heroin use among patients on OMT is indeed common, with half of patients declaring concurrent use. Our study unveils differentiated risks of heroin use vary according to the type of OMT, with patients on methadone more likely to use heroin compared to those on buprenorphine. The use of multilevel-related measures also uncovers high heterogeneity among patients' profiles, reflecting different stages in the treatment process, as well as differentiated practices across treatment centres. CONCLUSION Opioid maintenance treatment is associated with heroin use, in particular when methadone is involved. The heterogeneity among patients on OMT should be given particular attention, as it underscores the need for tailored interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Janssen
- French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (Observatoire Français des Drogues et des Tendances Addictives - OFDT), 69 rue de Varenne, 75007, Paris, France.
| | - Mike Vuolo
- Department of Sociology, Ohio State University, 238 Townhsend Hall, 1885 Neil Avenue Mall, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Stanislas Spilka
- French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (Observatoire Français des Drogues et des Tendances Addictives - OFDT), 69 rue de Varenne, 75007, Paris, France
- General Population Surveys Unit, Research Centre on Population Epidemiology and Health (Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie et Santé des Populations-CESP), Unit 1018, INSERM, Villejuif, France
| | - Guillaume Airagnes
- French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (Observatoire Français des Drogues et des Tendances Addictives - OFDT), 69 rue de Varenne, 75007, Paris, France
- UFR de Médecine, Faculté de Santé, AP-HP, Centre-Université Paris Cité, 20 rue Leblanc, 75015, Paris, France
- Population-Based Cohorts Unit, UMS 011, INSERM, 16 avenue Paul Vaillant-Couturier, 94800, Villejuif, France
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Held U, Forzy T, Signorell A, Deforth M, Burgstaller JM, Wertli MM. Development and internal validation of a prediction model for long-term opioid use-an analysis of insurance claims data. Pain 2024; 165:44-53. [PMID: 37782553 PMCID: PMC10723645 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT In the United States, a public-health crisis of opioid overuse has been observed, and in Europe, prescriptions of opioids are strongly increasing over time. The objective was to develop and validate a multivariable prognostic model to be used at the beginning of an opioid prescription episode, aiming to identify individual patients at high risk for long-term opioid use based on routinely collected data. Predictors including demographics, comorbid diseases, comedication, morphine dose at episode initiation, and prescription practice were collected. The primary outcome was long-term opioid use, defined as opioid use of either >90 days duration and ≥10 claims or >120 days, independent of the number of claims. Traditional generalized linear statistical regression models and machine learning approaches were applied. The area under the curve, calibration plots, and the scaled Brier score assessed model performance. More than four hundred thousand opioid episodes were included. The final risk prediction model had an area under the curve of 0.927 (95% confidence interval 0.924-0.931) in the validation set, and this model had a scaled Brier score of 48.5%. Using a threshold of 10% predicted probability to identify patients at high risk, the overall accuracy of this risk prediction model was 81.6% (95% confidence interval 81.2% to 82.0%). Our study demonstrated that long-term opioid use can be predicted at the initiation of an opioid prescription episode, with satisfactory accuracy using data routinely collected at a large health insurance company. Traditional statistical methods resulted in higher discriminative ability and similarly good calibration as compared with machine learning approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Held
- Department of Biostatistics at Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tom Forzy
- Master Program Statistics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andri Signorell
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Manja Deforth
- Department of Biostatistics at Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jakob M. Burgstaller
- Institute of Primary Care, University and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria M. Wertli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Baden KSB, Baden, Switzerland
- Department of General Internal Medicine University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Switzerland
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6
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Ballantyne JC. Preventing a prescription opioid epidemic in Switzerland. Pain 2024; 165:1-2. [PMID: 37578474 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jane C Ballantyne
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
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7
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Meldon A, Davey MG, Joyce WP. Evaluating opioid prescribing patterns following discharge from elective surgical procedures: a worrying trend during the 'opioid crisis' - an audit of elective surgical procedures. Ir J Med Sci 2023; 192:2993-2999. [PMID: 37081287 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-023-03363-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 'opioid crisis' has reached epidemic proportions globally. Importantly, 30% of opioid dependency stem from opioids obtained on hospital discharge prescriptions. AIM The aim of this study is to evaluate opioid prescription patterns on discharge of post-operative patients in an Irish Hospital. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was undertaken in a single institution during the 5 year eligibility period (January 2017-October 2021). Comparisons in opioid prescription patterns following minor (inguinal hernia repair (IHR), intermediate (laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC)) and major (colonic resection (CR)) were made. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS version 26.0 RESULTS: In total, 300 patients were included in this study with mean age 59.6 years (range: 20-92). Of these, 112 patients underwent IHR (37.3%), 116 patients underwent LC (38.7%), and 72 patients underwent CR (24.0%). The mean age at diagnosis was 61 years, 53 years and 58 years for IHR, LC and CR, respectively (P < 0.001). Patients undergoing CR were more likely to have greater comorbidity burden (3.1 vs. 1.2 (IHR) vs. 1.8 (LC) respectively (P = 0.030). On discharge, 27.8% of CR patients received opioids (20/72) compared to 24.1% of IHR (28/116) and 15.9% of LC (18/113) patients, respectively (P = 0.126). CONCLUSION We observed considerable variability in opioid prescribing patterns following minor, intermediate and major operations in our centre. Care is required when prescribing opioids in the post-operative setting, and opioid prescription guidelines are required to both tackle and prevent an escalation of this 'opioid crisis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aengus Meldon
- Department of Surgery, Galway Clinic, Doughiska, Co. Galway , H91 HHT0, Republic of Ireland.
| | - Matthew G Davey
- Department of Surgery, Galway Clinic, Doughiska, Co. Galway , H91 HHT0, Republic of Ireland
| | - William P Joyce
- Department of Surgery, Galway Clinic, Doughiska, Co. Galway , H91 HHT0, Republic of Ireland
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Jarlais DCD, McKnight C, Weng CA, Feelemyer J, Tross S, Raag M, Org G, Talu A, Uuskula A. Field Testing the "Avoid the Needle" Intervention for Persons at Risk for Transitioning to Injecting Drug Use in Tallinn, Estonia and New York City, USA. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:3767-3779. [PMID: 37249805 PMCID: PMC10227783 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04094-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to field tested the "Avoid the Needle" (AtN) intervention to reduce transitions from non-injecting to injecting drug use in two different epidemiological settings. Respondent driven sampling was used to recruit current non-injecting drug users (NIDUs) in Tallinn, Estonia in 2018-19 and in New York City (NYC) in 2019-20. Both persons who had never injected and persons who had previously injected but not in the last 6 months were eligible; a structured interview was administered, a blood sample collected, and the intervention administered by trained interventionists. We recruited 19 non-injectors from Tallinn and 140 from NYC. Participants in Tallinn were younger and had begun using drugs at earlier ages than participants in NYC. The primary drugs used in Tallinn were amphetamine, fentanyl, and opioid analgesics, while in NYC they were heroin, cocaine, speedball, and fentanyl. Six-month follow-up data were obtained from 95% of participants in Tallinn. The study was interrupted by COVID-19 lockdown in NYC, but follow-up data were obtained from 59% of participants. There were minimal transitions to injecting: 1/18 in Tallinn and 0/83 in NYC. There were significant declines in the frequencies of using readily injectable drugs (fentanyl, amphetamine, heroin, cocaine) from baseline to follow-up in both sites (Cochran-Armitage tests for trend, χ2 = 21.3, p < 0.001 for New York City; and χ2 = 3.9, p = 0.048 for Tallinn). Reducing transitions into injecting is a potentially very important method for reducing HIV transmission and other harms of drug use. Further investigation and implementation of AtN type interventions is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don C Des Jarlais
- New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Courtney McKnight
- New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Susan Tross
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mait Raag
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Ave Talu
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anneli Uuskula
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Byrne P. Meeting the challenges of rising premature mortality in people with severe mental illness. Future Healthc J 2023; 10:98-102. [PMID: 37786630 PMCID: PMC10540805 DOI: 10.7861/fhj.2023-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
People with severe mental illness are 4.5 times more likely to die prematurely than the general UK population. We review the drivers of poorer physical health across mental health conditions and propose some practical approaches to addressing this in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Byrne
- Royal London Hospital, London, UK, and co-director, Public Mental Health Implementation Centre, Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK
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10
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Razaghi E, Farhoudian A, Pilevari A, Noroozi A, Hooshyari Z, Radfar R, Malekinejad M. Identification of the socio-cultural barriers of drug addiction treatment in Iran. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15566. [PMID: 37131427 PMCID: PMC10149210 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Socio-cultural norms can either be encouraging or a barrier to addiction treatment. More, rigorous research is needed on nonindigenous models in addiction treatment, to better understand the role of socio-cultural differences. Methods The present qualitative study is part of the project, "The Inclusive Assessment of the Barriers of Drug Addiction Treatment Services in Iran," which was conducted in Tehran from 2018 to 2021. The participants consisted of eight people who used drugs, seven individual family members of the people who used drugs participants, seven service providers, and four policymakers. A purposeful sampling method was used for the selection of the participants, and the process continued until reaching the theoretical saturation of data. Analysis used the Graneheim and Lundman methods, classifying primary codes, the sub-themes, and themes were classified according to the similarities and differences between primary codes. Finding The most important socio-cultural barriers to addiction treatment in Iran are: unrealistic expectations of the family and society from the people who use drugs, addiction stigma, mistrust between various components of the treatment system, perceptions that professional substance use disorder treatment is inefficient and low uptake of that treatment, the disturbed relational boundaries between the people who use drugs and their relatives, the interweaving of treatment and ethical and religious principles, low acceptance of maintenance treatments, treatment focusing on short-term outcomes, and presence of facilitating backgrounds of using drugs. Conclusions The Iranian socio-cultural characteristics play an important role in the addiction treatment of the people who use drugs, so it is necessary for treatment interventions to be sensitive to these characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emran Razaghi
- Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Farhoudian
- Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Pilevari
- Department of Sociology, Kharazmi University, Karaj, Iran
- Corresponding author.
| | - Alireza Noroozi
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Hooshyari
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Ziaeian Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
- Medical Education and Management, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Radfar
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine (SATiM), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Malekinejad
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA
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Alvarez-Perez B, Poras H, Maldonado R. The inhibition of enkephalin catabolism by dual enkephalinase inhibitor: A novel possible therapeutic approach for opioid use disorders. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:879-893. [PMID: 34378790 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the increasing impact of opioid use disorders on society, there is a disturbing lack of effective medications for their clinical management. An interesting innovative strategy to treat these disorders consists in the protection of endogenous opioid peptides to activate opioid receptors, avoiding the classical opioid-like side effects. Dual enkephalinase inhibitors (DENKIs) physiologically activate the endogenous opioid system by inhibiting the enzymes responsible for the breakdown of enkephalins, protecting endogenous enkephalins and increasing their half-lives and physiological actions. The activation of opioid receptors by the increased enkephalin levels, and their well-demonstrated safety, suggests that DENKIs could represent a novel analgesic therapy and a possible effective treatment for acute opioid withdrawal, as well as a promising alternative to opioid substitution therapy minimizing side effects. This new pharmacological class of compounds could bring effective and safe medications avoiding the major limitations of exogenous opioids, representing a novel approach to overcome the problem of opioid use disorders. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Advances in Opioid Pharmacology at the Time of the Opioid Epidemic. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v180.7/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beltran Alvarez-Perez
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Rafael Maldonado
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
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Cousins G, Durand L, O'Kane A, Tierney J, Maguire R, Stokes S, O'Reilly D, Arensman E, Bennett KE, Vázquez MO, Corcoran P, Lyons S, Kavanagh Y, Keenan E. Prescription drugs with potential for misuse: protocol for a multi-indicator analysis of supply, detection and the associated health burden in Ireland between 2010 and 2020. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e069665. [PMID: 36863742 PMCID: PMC9990618 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is an increasing concern about the misuse of prescription drugs. Misuse refers to the intentional repurposing of prescribed drugs and/or the use of illicitly sourced prescription drugs, which may be counterfeit or contaminated. Drugs with the greatest potential for misuse are prescription opioids, gabapentinoids, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs and stimulants. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the supply, patterns of use and health burden associated with prescription drugs with potential for misuse (PDPM) in Ireland between 2010 and 2020. Three inter-related studies will be carried out. The first study will describe trends in supply of PDPM using law enforcement drug seizures data and national prescription records from national community and prison settings. The second study aims to estimate trends in the detection of PDPM across multiple early warning systems using national forensic toxicology data. The third study aims to quantify the health burden associated with PDPM nationally, using epidemiological indicators of drug-poisoning deaths, non-fatal intentional drug overdose presentations to hospitals and drug treatment demand. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A retrospective observational study design, with repeated cross-sectional analyses, using negative binomial regression models or, where appropriate, joinpoint regression. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study has received approval from the RCSI Ethics Committee (REC202202020). Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, scientific and drug policy meetings and with key stakeholders via research briefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gráinne Cousins
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Louise Durand
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aoife O'Kane
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Julie Tierney
- Forensic Toxicology, The State Laboratory, Kildare, Ireland
| | - Richard Maguire
- Medical Bureau of Road Safety, Health Science Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Siobhán Stokes
- National Drug Treatment Centre, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Ella Arensman
- National Suicide Research Foundation, School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kathleen E Bennett
- Data Science Centre, Population Health Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - María Otero Vázquez
- UISCE, National Advocacy Service for People who use Drugs in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paul Corcoran
- National Suicide Research Foundation, School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Suzi Lyons
- National Health Information Systems, Health Research Board, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yvonne Kavanagh
- Drug and Toxicology, Forensic Science Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eamon Keenan
- National Social Inclusion Office, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
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Byrne P. Premature mortality of people with severe mental illness: a renewed focus for a new era. Ir J Psychol Med 2023; 40:74-83. [PMID: 35357297 DOI: 10.1017/ipm.2022.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
This perspective article applies public health principles to improve the physical health of selected populations with mental disorders. Two preventable adverse outcomes, poorer physical health and premature mortality, are described across mental disorders. Evidence of the lifetime effects of adverse childhood experiences and inequalities is presented: these are the 'causes of the causes'. Seven drivers of physical disorders are illustrated that drive preventable deaths and as doctors, psychiatrists must lead from the front to reverse rising mortality. Evidence supports universal and selective interventions and even the most difficult challenges such as weight gain and opioid misuse are an opportunity for psychiatry to engage with individual patients and their organisations, public health colleagues, health systems and beyond. Interventions complement and do not replace existing clinical practices that reduce self-harm and prevent suicide. Mental health teams already do most of the work in this arena, and the case is made to refocus on physical health with task sharing. The top 10 recommendations within a personalised medicine framework are listed in this paper as a starting point.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Byrne
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Royal London Hospital, London, UK
- Public Mental Health Implementation Centre, Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, UK
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A prescription drug monitoring program, data sharing, and upholding states' rights under the United States Constitution. J Public Health Policy 2023; 44:102-109. [PMID: 36624270 DOI: 10.1057/s41271-022-00385-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Abuse of physician prescribed opioids contributes to health and economic burdens associated with dependency, overdose, and death. Since the 1900s, the United States (U.S.) Congress has legislated use and misuse of controlled substances. Under the U.S. Constitution, states developed prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) that determine how the program is managed, what data to track, and what information to share with other states. Lack of a standard data set that allows providers to see prescribing data for designated controlled substances across state lines, limits benefits of state PDMPs. A federal PDMP with a standard minimal set of variables shared across states could enhance patient care. States would exercise their police powers while sharing standard data to decrease adverse consequences of the opioid epidemic.
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Moncrieff T, Moncrieff J. A comparison of opioid prescription trends in England and the United States from 2008 to 2020. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RISK & SAFETY IN MEDICINE 2023; 34:287-291. [PMID: 37154185 DOI: 10.3233/jrs-220040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prescription opioid epidemic in the United States (US) is well documented, and recent measures have reduced prescribing rates in that country. Evidence suggests opioid prescriptions have been rising recently in other countries too. OBJECTIVE The current paper aimed to compare trends in opioid prescribing in England and the US. METHODS Trends in rates of prescriptions per 100 members of the population were calculated for England and the US using publicly available government data on prescriptions and population statistics. RESULTS Rates of prescribing are converging. At the peak of the US epidemic in 2012, there were 81.3 prescriptions per 100 people, but this had fallen to 43.3 by 2020. Prescribing peaked in England in 2016 at 43.2 prescriptions per 100 people, but has fallen only slightly, so that in 2020 there were 40.9 prescriptions per 100 people. CONCLUSION The data indicate that levels of opioid prescribing in England are now similar to those in the US. They remain high in both countries, despite recent falls. This suggests the need for further measures to prevent over-prescribing and to support people who would benefit from withdrawing from these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thurstan Moncrieff
- St Martin's College, Brentwood, UK
- Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Moncrieff
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Jobski K, Bantel C, Hoffmann F. Abuse, dependence and withdrawal associated with fentanyl and the role of its (designated) route of administration: an analysis of spontaneous reports from Europe. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2023; 79:257-267. [PMID: 36525039 PMCID: PMC9879804 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-022-03431-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid used in cancer and non-cancer pain, is approved for various routes of administration. In Europe, fentanyl consumption increased substantially in the last decades but information on abuse, dependence and withdrawal associated with fentanyl is scarce, especially with respect to its different formulations. METHODS We analysed case characteristics of spontaneous reports of suspected fentanyl-associated abuse, dependence or withdrawal from European countries recorded in the EudraVigilance database up to 2018 with respect to the (designated) routes of administration and potential indications. RESULTS A total of 985 reports were included (mainly from France and Germany) with 43% of cases referring to transdermal fentanyl. Median age was 45 years (48.8% female) and 21.6% had musculoskeletal disorders. Only 12.6% of those using transdermal fentanyl had a cancer diagnosis compared to 40.2% and 26.8% of those using intranasal and oral transmucosal fentanyl, respectively. Depression was common (10.7%) and highest in cases with musculoskeletal disorders (24.9%) as was the use of benzodiazepines. Overall, 39.5% of reports resulted in a prolonged hospital stay and for 23.2% a fatal outcome was recorded. The respective proportions were especially high in cases with musculoskeletal disorders (56.3% with prolonged hospitalisation) and in those using transdermal fentanyl (35.2% fatalities). CONCLUSIONS In suspected cases of abuse, dependence or withdrawal, fentanyl was mainly used for non-cancer pain indications and most often as transdermal formulations. Depression and prolonged hospitalisations were common, especially in patients with musculoskeletal disorders, indicating a vulnerable patient group and complex treatment situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Jobski
- Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstr. 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Bantel
- University Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, Klinikum Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Falk Hoffmann
- Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstr. 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
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Hurtado I, Robles C, Peiró S, García-Sempere A, Llopis-Cardona F, Sánchez-Sáez F, Rodríguez-Bernal C, Sanfélix-Gimeno G. Real-world patterns of opioid therapy initiation in Spain, 2012-2018: A population-based, retrospective cohort study with 957,080 patients and 1,509,488 initiations. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1025340. [PMID: 36467078 PMCID: PMC9709437 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1025340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Europe has seen a steady increase in the use of prescription opioids, especially in non-cancer indications. Epidemiological data on the patterns of use of opioids is required to optimize prescription. We aim to describe the patterns of opioid therapy initiation for non-cancer pain and characteristics of patients treated in a region with five million inhabitants in the period 2012 to 2018. Methods: Population-based retrospective cohort study of all adult patients initiating opioid therapy for non-cancer pain in the region of Valencia. We described patient characteristics at baseline and the characteristics of baseline and subsequent treatment initiation. We used multinominal regression models to identify individual factors associated with initiation. Results: A total of 957,080 patients initiated 1,509,488 opioid treatments (957,080 baseline initiations, 552,408 subsequent initiations). For baseline initiations, 738,749 were with tramadol (77.19%), 157,098 with codeine (16.41%) 58,436 (6.11%) with long-acting opioids, 1,518 (0.16%) with short-acting opioids and 1,279 (0.13%) with ultrafast drugs. When compared to tramadol, patients initiating with short-acting, long-acting and ultrafast opioids were more likely to be older and had more comorbidities, whereas initiators with codeine were more prone to be healthier and younger. Treatments lasting less than 7 days accounted for 41.82% of initiations, and 11.89% lasted more than 30 days. 19.55% of initiators with ultrafast fentanyl received more than 120 daily Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MME), and 16.12% of patients initiating with long-acting opioids were prescribed more than 90 daily MME (p < 0.001). Musculoskeletal indications accounted for 65.05% of opioid use. Overlap with benzodiazepines was observed in 24.73% of initiations, overlap with gabapentinoids was present in 11.04% of initiations with long-acting opioids and 28.39% of initiators with short-acting opioids used antipsychotics concomitantly. In subsequent initiations, 55.48% of treatments included three or more prescriptions (vs. 17.60% in baseline initiations) and risk of overlap was also increased. Conclusion: Opioids are initiated for a vast array of non-oncological indications, and, despite clinical guidelines, short-acting opioids are used marginally, and a significant number of patients is exposed to potentially high-risk patterns of initiation, such as treatments lasting more than 14 days, treatments surpassing 50 daily MMEs, initiating with long-acting opioids, or hazardous overlapping with other therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Hurtado
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Valencia, Fisabio
- Network for Research on Chronicity Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Valencia, Fisabio
| | - Celia Robles
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Valencia, Fisabio
- Network for Research on Chronicity Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Valencia, Fisabio
| | - Salvador Peiró
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Valencia, Fisabio
- Network for Research on Chronicity Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Valencia, Fisabio
| | - Aníbal García-Sempere
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Valencia, Fisabio
- Network for Research on Chronicity Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Valencia, Fisabio
| | - Fran Llopis-Cardona
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Valencia, Fisabio
- Network for Research on Chronicity Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Valencia, Fisabio
| | - Francisco Sánchez-Sáez
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Valencia, Fisabio
- Network for Research on Chronicity Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Valencia, Fisabio
| | - Clara Rodríguez-Bernal
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Valencia, Fisabio
- Network for Research on Chronicity Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Valencia, Fisabio
| | - Gabriel Sanfélix-Gimeno
- Health Services Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, Valencia, Fisabio
- Network for Research on Chronicity Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Valencia, Fisabio
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18
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In between Opioid Crisis and the Need to Treat Pain, Where Do We Stand? J Crit Care Med (Targu Mures) 2022; 8:229-231. [DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2022-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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De Luca MA, Tocco G, Mostallino R, Laus A, Caria F, Musa A, Pintori N, Ucha M, Poza C, Ambrosio E, Di Chiara G, Castelli MP. Pharmacological characterization of novel synthetic opioids: Isotonitazene, metonitazene, and piperidylthiambutene as potent MU opioid receptor agonists. Neuropharmacology 2022; 221:109263. [PMID: 36154843 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recent trends of opioid abuse and related fatalities have highlighted the critical role of Novel Synthetic Opioids (NSOs). We studied the μ-opioid-like properties of isotonitazene (ITZ), metonitazene (MTZ), and piperidylthiambutene (PTB) using different approaches. In vitro studies showed that ITZ and MTZ displayed a higher potency in both rat membrane homogenates (EC50: 0.99 and 19.1 nM, respectively) and CHO-MOR (EC50: 0.71 and 10.0 nM, respectively) than [D-Ala2, NMe-Phe4, Gly-ol5]-enkephalin (DAMGO), with no difference in maximal efficacy (Emax) between DAMGO and NSOs. ITZ also has higher affinity (Ki: 0.06 and 0.05 nM) at the MOR than DAMGO in both systems, whilst MTZ has higher affinity in CHO-MOR (Ki = 0.23 nM) and similar affinity in rat cerebral cortex (Ki = 0.22 nM). PTB showed lower affinity and potency than DAMGO. In vivo, ITZ displayed higher analgesic potency than fentanyl and morphine (ED50: 0.00156, 0.00578, 2.35 mg/kg iv, respectively); ITZ (0.01 mg/kg iv) and MTZ (0.03 mg/kg iv) reduced behavioral activity and increased dialysate dopamine (DA) in the NAc shell (max. about 200% and 170% over basal value, respectively. Notably, ITZ elicited an increase in DA comparable to that of higher dose of morphine (1 mg/kg iv), but higher than the same dose of fentanyl (0.01 mg/kg iv). In silico, induced fit docking (IFD) and metadynamic simulations (MTD) showed that binding modes and structural changes at the receptor, ligand stability, and the overall energy score of NSOs were consistent with the results of the biological assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Graziella Tocco
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Laus
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Caria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Aurora Musa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicholas Pintori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marcos Ucha
- Department of Psychobiology, National University for Distance Learning (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Celia Poza
- Department of Psychobiology, National University for Distance Learning (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Ambrosio
- Department of Psychobiology, National University for Distance Learning (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gaetano Di Chiara
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy; CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari Section, University of Cagliari, Italy.
| | - M Paola Castelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy.
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20
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Carrasco-Garrido P, Gallardo-Pino C, Jiménez-Trujillo I, Hernández-Barrera V, García-Gómez-Heras S, Lima Florencio L, Palacios-Ceña D. Nationwide Population-Based Study About Patterns of Prescription Opioid Use and Misuse Among Young Adults in Spain. Int J Public Health 2022; 67:1604755. [PMID: 36059585 PMCID: PMC9437214 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1604755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Prescription opioid misuse has become one of the most common ways drugs are consumed among young adults. The objective of our study was to describe the prevalence and factors associated with prescription opioid use and misuse among young adults living in Spain.Methods: A nationwide, cross-sectional epidemiological study on the use and misuse of prescription opioids in Spanish Youngers. We used individualized secondary data provided by the Household Survey on Alcohol and Drugs in Spain 2017–2018.Results: Prevalence of prescription opioid use among young adults was 4.89%. Misuse among this population reached prevalence values of 13.4%, with higher values observed among women . The variables associated with a greater probability of prescription opioid use and misuse were misuse of tranquilizers, sedatives, and sleeping pills, along with using cannabis and other illicit psychoactive drugs (aOR = 2.99; 95% CI: 1.10–8.15).Conclusion: Prescription opioid use and misuse in Youngers has important implications for the Spanish public health system, because, even though not currently comparable to the situation in other countries, this drug use could be on the verge of creating similar problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Carrasco-Garrido
- Department of Medical Specialties and Public Health, Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain
- *Correspondence: Pilar Carrasco-Garrido,
| | - Carmen Gallardo-Pino
- Department of Medical Specialties and Public Health, Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Isabel Jiménez-Trujillo
- Department of Medical Specialties and Public Health, Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Valentín Hernández-Barrera
- Department of Medical Specialties and Public Health, Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Soledad García-Gómez-Heras
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Lidiane Lima Florencio
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Domingo Palacios-Ceña
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain
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21
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Chiappini S, Vickers-Smith R, Guirguis A, Corkery JM, Martinotti G, Harris DR, Schifano F. Pharmacovigilance Signals of the Opioid Epidemic over 10 Years: Data Mining Methods in the Analysis of Pharmacovigilance Datasets Collecting Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) Reported to EudraVigilance (EV) and the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060675. [PMID: 35745593 PMCID: PMC9231103 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past twenty years, the consumption of opioid medications has reached significant proportions, leading to a rise in drug misuse and abuse and increased opioid dependence and related fatalities. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine whether there are pharmacovigilance signals of abuse, misuse, and dependence and their nature for the following prescription opioids: codeine, dihydrocodeine, fentanyl, oxycodone, pentazocine, and tramadol. Both the pharmacovigilance datasets EudraVigilance (EV) and the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) were analyzed to identify and describe possible misuse-/abuse-/dependence-related issues. A descriptive analysis of the selected Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) was performed, and pharmacovigilance signal measures (i.e., reporting odds ratio, proportional reporting ratio, information component, and empirical Bayesian geometric mean) were computed for preferred terms (PTs) of abuse, misuse, dependence, and withdrawal, as well as PTs eventually related to them (e.g., aggression). From 2003 to 2018, there was an increase in ADR reports for the selected opioids in both datasets. Overall, 16,506 and 130,293 individual ADRs for the selected opioids were submitted to EV and FAERS, respectively. Compared with other opioids, abuse concerns were mostly recorded in relation to fentanyl and oxycodone, while tramadol and oxycodone were more strongly associated with drug dependence and withdrawal. Benzodiazepines, antidepressants, other opioids, antihistamines, recreational drugs (e.g., cocaine and alcohol), and several new psychoactive substances, including mitragynine and cathinones, were the most commonly reported concomitant drugs. ADRs reports in pharmacovigilance databases confirmed the availability of data on the abuse and dependence of prescription opioids and should be considered a resource for monitoring and preventing such issues. Psychiatrists and clinicians prescribing opioids should be aware of their misuse and dependence liability and effects that may accompany their use, especially together with concomitant drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Chiappini
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire AL10 9EU, UK; (S.C.); (J.M.C.); (G.M.); (F.S.)
| | - Rachel Vickers-Smith
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, 111 Washington Avenue, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Amira Guirguis
- Department of Pharmacy, Swansea University Medical School, The Grove, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK;
| | - John M. Corkery
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire AL10 9EU, UK; (S.C.); (J.M.C.); (G.M.); (F.S.)
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire AL10 9EU, UK; (S.C.); (J.M.C.); (G.M.); (F.S.)
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D’Annunzio, 66100 Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Daniel R. Harris
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, 289 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
- Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, University of Kentucky, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - Fabrizio Schifano
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire AL10 9EU, UK; (S.C.); (J.M.C.); (G.M.); (F.S.)
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Opioid trends in Finland: a register-based nationwide follow-up study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7261. [PMID: 35508479 PMCID: PMC9068911 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10788-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The opioid epidemic in the U.S has gotten payers, prescribers, and policymakers alike interested in trends in opioid use. Despite no recognized opioid crisis in Europe, several countries have reported an increase in opioid-related deaths, which has further prompted discussion on the need of monitoring of opioid prescriptions. This study was conducted to offer information on opioid use during the escalation of the U.S. opioid epidemic in Finland, a Nordic country with universal tax-based health care. This is a nationwide retrospective register-based cohort study on all individuals in Finland who were dispensed opioids in 2009–2017 (n of unique patients = 1,761,584). By using the unique personal identification code assigned to every Finnish resident, we linked data from nationwide registers on dispensed drugs, medical history, and socio-demographic parameters. We report a wide set of patient demographics, dispensing trends for all opioid Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classes, and reasons for opioid initiation based on diagnostic coding for the most recent health care visit. For a cohort of incident opioid users with a four-year wash-out period (n = 1 370 057), we also present opioid use patterns in a three-year follow-up: the likelihood of becoming a persistent user or escalating from weak to strong opioids. A steady 7% of the Finnish population were dispensed opioids annually in 2009-2017. The mean annual quantity of dispensed opioids per opioid patient increased between 2009 and 2017 by 33%, reaching 2 583 oral morphine equivalent mg (OMEQ)/patient/year in 2017. The median quantity of dispensed opioids was lower: 315 OMEQ/year/patient. Depending on the opioid ATC class, there were either increasing or decreasing numbers of patients who had been dispensed said opioid class, and also in the mean quantity. The most common reason for opioid initiation was post-surgical pain (20%), followed by musculoskeletal pain (15%), injury (8.3%), and non-postsurgical dental pain (6.2%). 94% of new opioid initiators started with a weak opioid, i.e. codeine or tramadol. 85% of the patients who had been dispensed a weak opioid were not dispensed an opioid subsequently 3–6 months after the first one, and 95% of them had not escalated to a strong opioid in a 3-year follow-up. The number of patients dispensed opioids in Finland did not change during the escalation of the opioid epidemic in the U.S., but there were changes in the quantity of opioids dispensed per patient. Opioid therapy was typically initiated with weak opioid, the initial dispensed prescription was relatively small, and escalation to strong opioids was rare. A considerable share of patients had been prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain - a type of pain where the risk-benefit ratio of opioids is controversial.
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Davey MG, Joyce WP. Reducing Opioid Consumption Levels Post-Operatively following Gastrointestinal Surgery – A Systematic Review of Randomized Trials. SURGERY IN PRACTICE AND SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sipas.2022.100093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Bergeron H, Colson R. What lessons from France's experience could be applied in the United States in response to the addiction and overdose crisis? Addiction 2022; 117:1191-1192. [PMID: 35373487 DOI: 10.1111/add.15826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Henri Bergeron
- Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques, Centre de Sociologie des Organizations, Paris, France
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Fugelstad A, Ågren G, Ramstedt M, Thiblin I, Hjelmström P. Oxycodone-related deaths in Sweden 2006-2018. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 234:109402. [PMID: 35306392 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM To identify and characterize oxycodone related deaths in Sweden from 2006 to 2018 and to compare them to other opioid-related deaths. METHODS To assess the factors contributing to the deaths, we used multinomial logistic regression to compare oxycodone-related deaths extracted from all forensic autopsy examinations and toxicology cases in the age groups 15-34 (reference group), 35-54 and 55-74 with regard to sex, presence of benzodiazepines and alcohol at the time of death, prescription of oxycodone, benzodiazepines and antidepressants, previous substance use-related (SUD) treatment, and manner of death. The oxycodone related deaths were compared with deaths with presence of other opioids. RESULT We identified 575 oxycodone-related deaths, and the rate increased during the study period from 0.10 to 1.12 per 100,000 in parallel with an increase of oxycodone prescriptions from 3.17 to 30.33 per 1000. Oxycodone-related deaths amounted to 10.0% of all opioid-related deaths. The deaths occurred mainly in older patients previously being prescribed oxycodone. Benzodiazepines were present at the time of death in 403 (70%) and alcohol in 259 (45%). Prescriptions of any opioid for pain (61%), oxycodone (50%), benzodiazepines (67%) and antidepressants (55%) were common. Only 15% had received treatment for SUD during the last year. CONCLUSION Oxycodone-related deaths increased in Sweden between 2006 and 2018 in parallel to an increase in oxycodone prescriptions. The increase occurred mainly in older patients being prescribed oxycodone for pain. There might be specific interventions needed to avoid oxycodone-related deaths compared to other opioid-related deaths associated with illicit opioid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fugelstad
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Gunnar Ågren
- Former National Institute of Public Health, SE-11662 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats Ramstedt
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden; Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAN), SE-11664 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ingmar Thiblin
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Section for Forensic Medicine, Uppsala University, SE-75140 Uppsala, Sweden
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Pulido J, Sanchez-Niubo A, Llorens N, Hoyos J, Barrio G, Belza MJ, Cea-Soriano L, Angulo-Brunet A, Sordo L. Estimating the Prevalence of Recreational Opioid Use in Spain Using a Multiplier Method. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084815. [PMID: 35457681 PMCID: PMC9027743 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Acknowledgement of the prevalence of recreational opioid use (PROU) is key to the planning and evaluation of care services. However, in Spain, the prevalence of PROU in recent years is unknown. The objective of this study was to estimate the PROU between 2005 and 2019 in the general populations of six Spanish cities. A benchmark-multiplier methodology was used to estimate the PROU population size. The benchmark used was overdose deaths from recreational opioid use in Spain’s six most populated cities. The multiplier was the overdose death rate in a cohort of heroin users. Linear regression was used to estimate the trend of the PROU estimate over the set period of years. In 2005, the PROU was 4.78 (95%CI 3.16–7.91) per 1000 people. The estimated trend decreased, with the two lowest values being 2.35 per 1000 in 2015 and 2.29 in 2018. In 2019 the PROU was 2.60 per 1000 (95%CI 1.72–4.31), 45% lower than in 2005. While the decline in the PROU continues, its deceleration over the last four years calls for increased vigilance, especially in light of the opioid crisis in North America that has occurred over the last few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Pulido
- Departamento de Salud Pública y Materno-Infantil, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.P.); (J.H.); (L.C.-S.); (L.S.)
- CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (G.B.); (M.J.B.)
| | - Albert Sanchez-Niubo
- Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Noelia Llorens
- Delegación del Gobierno Para el Plan Nacional Sobre Drogas, Ministerio de Sanidad, Gobierno de España, 28008 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Juan Hoyos
- Departamento de Salud Pública y Materno-Infantil, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.P.); (J.H.); (L.C.-S.); (L.S.)
- CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (G.B.); (M.J.B.)
| | - Gregorio Barrio
- CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (G.B.); (M.J.B.)
- Escuela Nacional de Salud, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Jose Belza
- CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (G.B.); (M.J.B.)
- Escuela Nacional de Salud, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucía Cea-Soriano
- Departamento de Salud Pública y Materno-Infantil, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.P.); (J.H.); (L.C.-S.); (L.S.)
| | - Ariadna Angulo-Brunet
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poblenou, 08018 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Luis Sordo
- Departamento de Salud Pública y Materno-Infantil, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.P.); (J.H.); (L.C.-S.); (L.S.)
- CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (G.B.); (M.J.B.)
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Otte L, Wilde M, Auwärter V, Grafinger KE. Investigation of the μ and κ‐opioid receptor activation by eight new synthetic opioids using the [
35
S]‐GTPγS assay: U‐47700, isopropyl U‐47700, U‐49900, U‐47931E,
N
‐methyl U‐47931E, U‐51754, U‐48520 and U‐48800. Drug Test Anal 2022; 14:1187-1199. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.3238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorina Otte
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Karlsruhe Germany
| | - Maurice Wilde
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Hermann Staudinger Graduate School University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Volker Auwärter
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Katharina Elisabeth Grafinger
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
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Calvo A, Alonso S, Prieto E, Ascaso-del-Rio A, Ortuño J, Fernandez N, Portolés A. Single and Multiple Dose PK–PD Characterization for Carisoprodol. Part I: Pharmacokinetics, Metabolites, and 2C19 Phenotype Influence. Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial in Healthy Volunteers. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030858. [PMID: 35160309 PMCID: PMC8836664 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Carisoprodol was authorised in 1959 without a full pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) characterisation. We designed a crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial to characterize the PKs of carisoprodol and its main active metabolite, meprobamate, after single (350 mg), multiple (350 mg/8 h, 14 days), and double (700 mg) doses of carisoprodol. Thirteen healthy volunteers were enrolled. After a single (350 mg) dose, the main carisoprodol parameters were (mean ± SD) Cmax: 2580 ± 1214 ng/mL, AUC0–∞: 8072 ± 6303 h·ng/mL, and half-life (T1/2): 2 ± 0.8 h. For meprobamate, the parameters were Cmax: 2181 ± 605 ng/mL and 34,529 ± 7747 h·ng/mL y 9 ± 1.9 h. Different profiles were found for extensive and poor 2C19 metabolizers. After 14 days of treatment (350 mg/8 h) the results for carisoprodol were (mean ± SD) Cmax: 2504 ± 730 ng/mL, AUC0–∞: 7451 ± 3615 h·ng/mL, and T1/2: 2 ± 0.7 h. For meprobamate (a steady state was reached), the parameters were Cmax: 5758 ± 1255 ng/mL and 79,699 ± 17,978 h·ng/mL y 8.7 ± 1.4 h. The study allowed for the full characterization of the pharmacokinetic profile of carisoprodol and meprobamate. Accumulation of meprobamate but not of carisoprodol was evident after 14 days of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitana Calvo
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.C.); (S.A.); (E.P.); (A.A.-d.-R.)
| | - Saioa Alonso
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.C.); (S.A.); (E.P.); (A.A.-d.-R.)
| | - Esther Prieto
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.C.); (S.A.); (E.P.); (A.A.-d.-R.)
| | - Ana Ascaso-del-Rio
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.C.); (S.A.); (E.P.); (A.A.-d.-R.)
| | | | | | - Antonio Portolés
- Pharmacology & Toxicology Department, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-913303413
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Palamim CVC, Boschiero MN, Faria AG, Valencise FE, Marson FAL. Opioids in COVID-19: Two Sides of a Coin. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:758637. [PMID: 35069193 PMCID: PMC8770909 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.758637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The treatment of most severe COVID-19 patients included the large-scale use of sedatives and analgesics-possibly in higher doses than usual-which was reported in the literature. The use of drugs that decrease mortality is necessary and opioids are important agents in procedures such as orotracheal intubation. However, these drugs seem to have been overestimated in the COVID-19 pandemic. We performed a review of the PubMed-Medline database to evaluate the use of opioids during this period. The following descriptors were used to enhance the search for papers: "Opioids", "COVID-19," "COVID-19 pandemic," "SARS-CoV-2," "Opioid use disorder," "Opioid dependence" and the names of the drugs used. We also evaluated the distribution of COVID-19 patients in Brazil and the applicability of opioids in our country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Several positive points were found in the use of opioids in the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, they can be used for analgesia in orotracheal intubation, for chronic pain management, and as coadjutant in the management of acute intensification of pain. However, high doses of opioids might exacerbate the respiratory depression found in COVID-19 patients, their chronic use can trigger opioid tolerance and the higher doses used during the pandemic might result in greater adverse effects. Unfortunately, the pandemic also affected individuals with opioid use disorder, not only those individuals are at higher risk of mortality, hospitalization and need for ventilatory support, but measures taken to decrease the SARS-CoV-2 spread such as social isolation, might negatively affect the treatment for opioid use disorder. In Brazil, only morphine, remifentanil and fentanyl are available in the basic health care system for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Out of the 5,273,598 opioid units used in this period all over the country, morphine, fentanyl, and remifentanil, accounted for, respectively, 559,270 (10.6%), 4,624,328 (87.6%), and 90,000 (1.8%) units. Many Brazilian regions with high number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 had few units of opioids available, as the Southeast region, with a 0.23 units of opioids per confirmed COVID-19 case, and the South region, with 0.05 units. In the COVID-19 pandemic scenario, positive points related to opioids were mainly the occurrence of analgesia, to facilitate intubation and their use as coadjutants in the management of acute intensification of pain, whereas the negative points were indiscriminate use, the presence of human immunosuppressor response and increased adverse effects due to higher doses of the drug. Conclusion: The importance of rational and individualized use of analgesic hypnotics and sedative anesthetics should be considered at all times, especially in situations of high demand such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Vantini Capasso Palamim
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Tumor Biology and Bioactive Compounds, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
- Laboratory of Human and Medical Genetics, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Matheus Negri Boschiero
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Tumor Biology and Bioactive Compounds, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
- Laboratory of Human and Medical Genetics, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Aléthea Guimarães Faria
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Tumor Biology and Bioactive Compounds, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
- Laboratory of Human and Medical Genetics, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Felipe Eduardo Valencise
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Tumor Biology and Bioactive Compounds, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
- Laboratory of Human and Medical Genetics, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Fernando Augusto Lima Marson
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Tumor Biology and Bioactive Compounds, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
- Laboratory of Human and Medical Genetics, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
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30
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Griffiths P, Mounteney J, Sedefov R. The same fundamental drivers but differently expressed: what can we learn from comparing the recent experiences with synthetic opioids in the US and Europe? Addiction 2021; 116:1314-1316. [PMID: 33449422 DOI: 10.1111/add.15340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Griffiths
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jane Mounteney
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Roumen Sedefov
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal
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Häuser W, Buchser E, Finn DP, Dom G, Fors E, Heiskanen T, Jarlbaek L, Knaggs RD, Kosek E, Krcevski-Škvarč N, Pakkonen K, Perrot S, Trouvin AP, Morlion B. Is Europe also facing an opioid crisis?-A survey of European Pain Federation chapters. Eur J Pain 2021; 25:1760-1769. [PMID: 33960569 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is considerable public interest in whether Europe is facing an opioid crisis comparable to the one in the United States and the contribution of opioid prescriptions for pain to a potential opioid crisis. METHODS A task force of the European Pain Federation (EFIC) conducted a survey with its national chapter representatives on trends of opioid prescriptions and of drug-related emergency departments and substance use disorder treatment admissions and of deaths as proxies of opioid-related harms over the last 20 years. RESULTS Data from 25 European countries were received. In most European countries opioid prescriptions increased from 2004 to 2016. The levels of opioid consumption and their increase differed between countries. Some Eastern European countries still have a low opioid consumption. Opioids are mainly prescribed for acute pain and chronic noncancer pain in some Western and Northern European countries. There was a parallel increase in opioid prescriptions and some proxies of opioid-related harms in France, Finland and the Netherlands, but not in Germany, Spain and Norway. In United Kingdom, opioid overdose deaths, but not opioid prescriptions increased between 2016 and 2018. There are no robust data available on whether prescribed opioids for pain patients contributed to opioid-related harms. CONCLUSIONS There are marked differences between European countries in trends of opioid prescribing and of proxies for opioid-related harms. Europe as a whole is not facing an opioid crisis. Discussions on the potential harms of opioids should not obstruct their prescription for cancer pain and palliative care. SIGNIFICANCE Europe as a whole is not facing an opioid crisis. Some Eastern European countries have limited access to opioid medicines. Discussions on the potential harms of opioid medicines for noncancer pain should not obstruct opioid therapy for cancer therapy and palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winfried Häuser
- Department Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Eric Buchser
- Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management Neuromodulation Centre, Morges, Switzerland
| | - David P Finn
- Pharmacology and Therapeutic, School of Medicine, Centre for Pain Research, Galway Neuroscience Centre National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Geerd Dom
- Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Egil Fors
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tarja Heiskanen
- Pain Clinic, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lene Jarlbaek
- REHPA - The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Nyborg, Denmark
| | - Roger D Knaggs
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,Pain Centre Versus Arthritis, Clinical Sciences Building, City Hospital Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Eva Kosek
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Pain Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nevenka Krcevski-Škvarč
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Treatmen, Faculty of Medicine of University Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Kaire Pakkonen
- Anaesthesiology, Operative and Intensive Care Service, Pärnu Hospital, Pärnu, Estonia
| | - Serge Perrot
- Pain Medicine Department, University Hospital Cochin, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Anne-Priscille Trouvin
- Pain Medicine Department, University Hospital Cochin, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Bart Morlion
- Center for Algology & Pain Management, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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