Abuse of tapentadol compared to other atypical opioids among individuals entering treatment for opioid use disorders

OBJECTIVE

Tapentadol is an atypical opioid analgesic thought to have dual mechanisms of action: µ-receptor agonism and inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake. Unlike other atypical opioids, tapentadol is a schedule II-controlled substance. We compared the prevalence of abuse (use to get high) of tapentadol to other atypical opioids used to treat pain (buprenor-phine and tramadol).

DESIGN

An observational, serial cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Individuals enrolling in treatment programs for opioid use disorder in 2019. Each completed a self-administered, paper questionnaire assessing prescription drug abuse and illegal drug use within 1 week of enrollment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Indication of past month abuse of tapentadol or comparator drugs on a self-administered ques-tionnaire.

RESULTS

There were 6,987 respondents. Unadjusted and utilization-adjusted logistic regression models were used to compare odds of endorsement of tapentadol to tramadol and buprenorphine products indicated for the management of pain. Unadjusted abuse prevalence was 0.20 percent for total tapentadol (0.03 percent for NUCYNTA® and 0.06 percent for NUCYNTA ER). Relative to total tapentadol, the odds of abuse of buprenorphine for pain was 2.9 times greater (95 percent CI: 1.6 to 5.3, p < 0.001), and for tramadol, 43.1 times greater (95 percent CI: 25.3 to 73.3, p < 0.001). Adjusting for prescriptions dispensed, differences in odds of abuse were not statistically significant (odds ratio (OR) = 1.6, 95 per-cent CI: 0.9 to 3.0, p = 0.108 for buprenorphine for pain and OR = 0.7, 95 percent CI: 0.4 to 1.2, p = 0.209 for tramadol).

CONCLUSIONS

Tapentadol use to get high is less frequent than other atypical opioids. Findings suggest tapentadol is rarely the primary drug abused by an individual.

Understanding research methods, limitations, and applications of drug data collected by the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS-Drug)

The National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) is a drug surveillance program of the US Drug Enforcement Administration that systematically collects data on drugs that are seized by law enforcement and submitted to and analyzed by the Nation's forensic laboratories (NFLIS-Drug). NFLIS-Drug data are increasingly used in predictive modeling and drug surveillance to examine drug availability patterns. Given the complexity of the data and data collection, there are some common methodological pitfalls that we highlight with the aim of helping researchers avoid these concerns. The analysis done for this Technical Note is based on a review of the scientific literature that includes 428 unique, refereed article citations in 182 distinct journals published between January 1, 2005, and April 30, 2021. Each article was analyzed according to how NFLIS-Drug data were mentioned and whether NFLIS-Drug data were included. A sample of 37 articles was studied in-depth, and data issues were summarized. Using examples from the literature, this Technical Note highlights eight broad concerns that have important implications for the proper applications, interpretations, and limitations of NFLIS-Drug data with suggestions for improving research methods and accurate reporting of forensic drug data. NFLIS-Drug data are timely and provide key information to inform drug use trends across the United States; however, our present analysis shows that NFLIS-Drug data are misunderstood and represented in the literature. In addition to highlighting these issues, DEA has created several resources to assist NFLIS data users and researchers, which are summarized in the discussion.

Evaluating the effectiveness of reformulated extended-release oxycodone with abuse-deterrent properties on reducing non-oral abuse among individuals assessed for substance abuse treatment with the Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version (ASI-MV)

OBJECTIVE

Original brand extended-release (ER) oxycodone tablets (OC) for oral use were reformulated (ORF) with abuse-deterrent properties (ADP) against inhalation and injection routes in August 2010. This product transition provided an opportunity to compare "before and after" reformulation abuse trends. Our goal was to assess the change in abuse of brand oxycodone ER from before and after introduction of ORF.

METHODS

Change in self-reported non-oral "OxyContin^®" abuse in the previous 30 days during 2 years pre- and 4 years post-reformulation was assessed among adults evaluated for substance use and treatment planning using the Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version (ASI-MV^®). Comparator opioids were used to provide a frame of reference for changes in abuse due to competing population-level opioid abuse interventions and other factors unrelated to the reformulation. A proportion (PR) and abuse report dispensing ratio (ARDR) are reported because a single measure of abuse has not been identified that can optimally describe opioid abuse or changes in opioid abuse.

RESULTS

Interrupted time-series analyses indicated an immediate decline in non-oral abuse measures post-reformulation (PR=-52.1%; ARDR=-32.2%). Significant decreases from pre- to post-reformulation in non-oral abuse overall were observed (PR [95% CI]=-30.7% [-46.9%, -9.5%]; ARDR=-29.3% [-37.5%, -20.1%]). Comparator opioids did not demonstrate similar trends over the period.

CONCLUSIONS

Methodology applied in this study suitably assessed the effectiveness of an ADP product. Among individuals assessed for substance use, a differential decline in non-oral abuse of brand ER oxycodone was observed since introduction of ORF.

A Scoping Review of Data Sources for the Conduct of Policy-Relevant Substance Use Research

OBJECTIVE

Existing administrative and survey data are critical for understanding the effects of exigent policies on population health outcomes related to opioid, cannabis, and other substance use disorders (SUDs). The objective of this study was to determine the state of the data available for evaluating SUD-related health outcomes.

METHODS

We performed a scoping review of national and state government data sources to measure and evaluate the effects of state policy changes on substance use and SUD-related health outcomes and health care use. We used Massachusetts as a case study for availability of relevant state-level data as well as national datasets with state-level indicators available to measure outcomes. We compared key features of each dataset to assess their usefulness for research and policy evaluation. We conducted our review during November 2018-March 2019, and we updated data availability as of March 2019 for all data sources.

RESULTS

We identified 11 survey datasets, 12 national administrative datasets, and 10 state administrative datasets as being suitable for policy-relevant research and practice purposes. These datasets varied substantially in their usefulness for evaluation and research. Despite substantial data limitations, including prohibitive regulatory and monetary costs to obtain the data and limited availability, these data can be mined to examine a diversity of policy-relevant questions.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings provide a comprehensive resource for using survey and administrative data to evaluate the health effects of SUD-related policies and interventions. The construction of state-level public health data warehouses or record linkage projects connecting individual-level information in state data sources is valuable for analyzing the effects of policy changes. Understanding strengths and limitations of available data sources is important for ongoing research and evaluation.

Claims-based measures of prescription opioid utilization: A practical guide for researchers

BACKGROUND

Given the increased attention to the opioid epidemic and the role of inappropriate prescribing, there has been a marked increase in the number of studies using claims data to study opioid use and policies designed to curb misuse. Our objective is to review the medical literature for recent studies that use claims data to construct opioid use measures and to develop a guide for researchers using these measures.

METHODS

We searched for articles relating to opioid use measured in health insurance claims data using a defined set of search terms for the years 2014-2020. Original research articles based in the United States that used claims-based measures of opioid utilization were included and information on the study population and measures of any opioid use, quantity of opioid use, new opioid use, chronic opioid use, multiple providers, and overlapping prescriptions was abstracted.

RESULTS

A total of 164 articles met inclusion criteria. Any opioid use was the most commonly included measure, defined by 85 studies. This was followed by quantity of opioids (68 studies), chronic opioid use (53 studies), overlapping prescriptions (28 studies), and multiple providers (8 studies). Each measure contained multiple, distinct definitions with considerable variation in how each was operationalized.

CONCLUSIONS

Claims-based opioid utilization measures are commonly used in research, but definitions vary significantly from study to study. Researchers should carefully consider which opioid utilization measures and definitions are most appropriate for their study and recognize how different definitions may influence study results.

Nonmedical Use of Xtampza® ER and Other Oxycodone Medications in Adults Evaluated for Substance Abuse Treatment: Real-World Data from the Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version (ASI-MV®)

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate real-world data related to past 30-day nonmedical use (NMU) and routes of administration of Xtampza^® ER and comparator oxycodone medications in the US as captured within the Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version^® (ASI-MV^®).

Methods

Data were collected from July 2016 through December 2019 from 647 centers located in 44 states using the ASI-MV, a clinical instrument used to evaluate substance use and treatment planning. Demographic characteristics were assessed using Pearson's chi-square test for categorical data and quarterly NMU rates were calculated. Distribution of route of administration was studied using a proportional reporting ratio (PRR) analysis.

Results

Of 192,810 assessments, 42,279 (21.9%) indicated past 30-day NMU of at least one prescription opioid, including Xtampza ER (N=73, 0.2%), other oxycodone ER (n=3802, 9.0%) and oxycodone IR (n=14,579, 34.5%). All quarterly Xtampza ER NMU rates per 100 ASI-MV assessments were significantly lower than those for other oxycodone ER and oxycodone IR. Overall, quarterly Xtampza ER NMU drug utilization adjusted rates were significantly lower than quarterly rates observed for other oxycodone ER NMU but not consistently significantly lower than oxycodone IR NMU. Although not all statistically significant, all ratios from the PRR analysis were less than 1.0, indicating that rates of use of any alternate route, any non-oral route, snorting, and injecting were higher for other oxycodone ER and oxycodone IR than for Xtampza ER.

Conclusion

Xtampza ER had significantly lower rates of NMU than other oxycodone ER products and oxycodone IR products, as well as significantly lower rates of non-oral NMU than oxycodone IR products, in a population of individuals seeking substance abuse treatment. Understanding risks associated with different opioid medications is important for prescribers as they manage risks of opioid misuse and abuse with effective pain therapy.

Evaluation of Abuse and Route of Administration of Extended-Release Tapentadol Among Treatment-Seeking Individuals, as Captured by the Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version (ASI-MV)

Background

Tapentadol is a molecule incorporating mu opioid receptor agonism and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition to provide analgesia, with the potential for a lower incidence of gastrointestinal side effects than full mu opioid agonists. Postmarketing surveillance of tapentadol as an active pharmaceutical ingredient has consistently revealed low levels of abuse and diversion.

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to further characterize the abuse liability of tapentadol extended-release (ER) by evaluating the prevalence of past 30-day tapentadol ER abuse and reported routes of administration as compared with ER opioids with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) abuse-deterrent labeling (“ADF opioids”) and ER opioids without FDA abuse-deterrent labeling (“non-ADF opioids”).

Methods

Data were collected from January 2014 through December 2017 from 776 centers located in 43 states throughout the United States using the Addiction Severity Index–Multimedia Version (ASI-MV), an instrument that is integral to the National Addictions Vigilance Intervention and Prevention Program (NAVIPPRO, Inflexxion, an IBH Company, Costa Mesa, CA, USA).

Results

Tapentadol ER had lower rates of past 30-day abuse than ADF ER and non-ADF ER opioid comparators, both at a population level and when adjusted for drug utilization. Tapentadol ER was primarily abused orally, although it was also abused through alternate routes of administration. Cumulative rates of tapentadol ER abuse by alternative routes of administration were lower than both ADF and non-ADF ER opioid comparators, although large confidence intervals resulting from the small sample size of reported tapentadol ER use limit firm conclusions.

Conclusions

In summary, tapentadol ER was found to have lower rates of both past 30-day abuse and use via alternate routes of administration, specifically snorting and smoking, than ADF and non-ADF ER comparators.

Surveillance of Opioid Prescribing as a Public Health Intervention: Washington State Bree Collaborative Opioid Metrics

Context:

To address risks associated with prescription opioid medications, guidelines recommend lower dose, shorter duration of use, and avoidance of concurrent sedatives. Monitoring opioid-prescribing practices is critical for assessing guideline impact, comparing populations, and targeting interventions to reduce risks.

Objective:

To describe development of Washington (WA) State opioid-prescribing metrics, provide purpose and definitions, and apply metrics to prescription data for WA health care organizations.

Design:

We describe the development and testing of opioid-prescribing metrics by the WA State Bree Collaborative opioid work group.

Setting:

Washington State.

Participants:

Kaiser Permanente of Washington (KPW) Integrated Group Practice, KPW-contracted care providers, and WA Medicaid.

Main Outcome Measures:

Set of 6 strategic metrics tested across 3 different health systems adopted by WA State in 2017 for uniform tracking of opioid-prescribing guidelines and state policies. These metrics include (1) overall prevalence of any opioid use, (2) chronic use, (3) high-dose chronic use, (4) concurrent chronic sedative use, (5) days' supply of new prescriptions, and (6) transition from acute to chronic use.

Results:

In the first quarter of 2010, 10% to 12% of KPW and 14% of Medicaid patients received at least 1 opioid prescription. Among opioid users, 22% to 24% of KPW and 36% of Medicaid patients received chronic opioids. Among patients receiving chronic opioids, 16% to 22% of KPW and 32% of Medicaid patients received high doses (≥90 morphine-equivalent dose per day) and 20% to 23% of KPW and 33% of Medicaid patients received concurrent chronic sedatives. Five percent of Medicaid and 2% to 3% of KPW patients receiving new opioid prescriptions transitioned to chronic opioid use.

Conclusions:

The metrics are relatively easy to calculate from electronic health care data and yield meaningful comparisons between populations or health plans. These metrics can be used to display trends over time and to evaluate the impact of opioid-prescribing policy interventions.

Impact of product safety changes on accidental exposures to liquid laundry packets in children

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the impact of the ASTM International (formerly American Society of Testing Materials) safety standard and associated product safety changes on accidental exposures to liquid laundry packets (LLPs) in children.

METHODS

The National Poison Data System was queried for reports of accidental exposures to LLPs in children <6 years old received from 01 July 2012 to 31 December 2018. In 2014, ASTM International began developing a standard specifying voluntary product changes to reduce the risk of LLP exposures in young children. Product changes were made between 2013 and 2016. Exposures were grouped into baseline, transition, and post periods based on the timing of the standard's implementation. Exposure counts and sales adjusted rates were compared between the baseline and post period for all exposures and exposures involving healthcare facility (HCF) evaluation, HCF admission, and major medical outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 73,942 accidental exposures in children <6 years old were reported (baseline: 10,229, 13.8%; transition: 43,507, 58.8%; post: 20,206, 27.3%). The percentage of exposures involving HCF evaluation (41.5% to 33.8%), HCF admission (4.5% to 1.9%), and major medical outcomes (0.6% to 0.1%) decreased from the baseline to post period. Sales adjusted rates of all exposures decreased 57.4% (4.920-2.094 exposures/1 million packets sold). Decreases also occurred in HCF evaluations (65.0% decrease; 2.026-0.708 exposures/1 million packets sold), HCF admissions (81.4% decrease; 0.218-0.041 exposures/1 million packets sold), and major medical outcomes (90.9% decrease; 0.030-0.003 exposures/1 million packets sold).

CONCLUSIONS

The morbidity of accidental exposures to LLPs in children decreased substantially following implementation of the ASTM International safety standard. Ongoing monitoring should be performed to determine if additional safety measures are required.

The opioid epidemic in pediatrics: a 2020 update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Over the last 3 years and for the first time in 60 years, life expectancy in the United States has declined across all racial groups primarily because of drug overdoses, alcohol abuse, and suicide. A public health response to the opioid crisis must expand its focus to more broadly include children, adolescents, and young adults while increasing efforts toward preventing new cases of opioid addiction, early identification of individuals with opioid-abuse disorder, and ensuring access to effective opioid addiction treatment, while simultaneously continuing to safely meet the needs of patients experiencing pain.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although a multimodal approach to pain management is fundamental in current practice, opioids remain an essential building block in the management of acute and chronic pain and have been for over 5000 years as they work. Left over, unconsumed opioids that were appropriately prescribed for pain have become the gateway for the development of opioid use disorder, particularly in the vulnerable adolescents and young adult patient populations. How to reduce the amount of opioids dispensed, improve methods of disposal in an environmentally safe way, and proactively make naloxone, particularly nasal spray, readily available to patients (and their families) receiving prescription opioids or who are at risk of opioid use disorder are highlighted in this review.

SUMMARY

We describe the historical use of opioids and the scope of the current opioid crisis, review the differences between dependence and addiction, and the private and public sectors response to pain management and highlight the issue of adolescent vulnerability. We conclude with a proposal for future directions that address both public and patient health needs.

Misuse of Tramadol in the United States: An Analysis of the National Survey of Drug Use and Health 2002-2017

Objective:

To analyze the rates of misuse - that is, use in any way not directed by a doctor - of products containing oral tramadol, a Schedule IV opioid, from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), as compared to comparator Schedule II opioids (morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone) and alprazolam, a commonly prescribed Schedule IV controlled substance in the U.S.

Methods:

The NSDUH is a congressionally mandated household survey that collects information on tobacco, alcohol, and drug use, mental health and other health-related issues in the US. A cross-sectional surveillance study design was used to examine lifetime and past year misuse of oral tramadol and comparators of interest among NSHUH respondents aged 12 years or older. Based on when particular data were available, the past-year misuse analysis includes NSDUH data from 2015 to 2017, and the lifetime misuse analysis includes NSDUH data from 2002 to 2014.

Results:

In 2015 to 2017, past-year misuse of oral tramadol was approximately 4% of the total number of prescriptions, versus 7% to 8% for all of the comparators when adjusted for drug availability. In 2002 to 2014, lifetime misuse of oral tramadol remained at 1.5% or less over the 13-year period, and was lower than reported for hydrocodone (6%) and oxycodone (4%), respectively. Comparison of oral tramadol and alprazolam showed misuse of tramadol was also much lower than alprazolam. Too few reports of tramadol misuse by injection (n = 7) were reported, versus 570, 1096, and 32 reports of injection of morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone, respectively, during the 16-year analysis period to allow for any population-based estimation. Only morphine has an intravenous formulation available and tramadol was not available as an intravenous formulation in the U.S. during that time period.

Conclusions:

This analysis shows a low prevalence of oral tramadol misuse, relative to other commonly prescribed opioids, in a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized US residents. Estimates of reported oral tramadol misuse have remained relatively stable over time and are substantially lower than those reported for comparators when adjusted for prescription volume. Reports of oral tramadol misuse are also much less than alprazolam, another Schedule IV drug.

Strengths and weaknesses of existing data sources to support research to address the opioids crisis

Better opioid prescribing practices, promoting effective opioid use disorder treatment, improving naloxone access, and enhancing public health surveillance are strategies central to reducing opioid-related morbidity and mortality. Successfully advancing and evaluating these strategies requires leveraging and linking existing secondary data sources. We conducted a scoping study in Fall 2017 at RAND, including a literature search (updated in December 2018) complemented by semi-structured interviews with policymakers and researchers, to identify data sources and linking strategies commonly used in opioid studies, describe data source strengths and limitations, and highlight opportunities to use data to address high-priority public health research questions. We identified 306 articles, published between 2005 and 2018, that conducted secondary analyses of existing data to examine one or more public health strategies. Multiple secondary data sources, available at national, state, and local levels, support such research, with substantial breadth in data availability, data contents, and the data's ability to support multi-level analyses over time. Interviewees identified opportunities to expand existing capabilities through systematic enhancements, including greater support to states for creating and facilitating data use, as well as key data challenges, such as data availability lags and difficulties matching individual-level data over time or across datasets. Multiple secondary data sources exist that can be used to examine the impact of public health approaches to addressing the opioid crisis. Greater data access, improved usability for research purposes, and data element standardization can enhance their value, as can improved data availability timeliness and better data comparability across jurisdictions.

Relative Abuse of Crush-Resistant Prescription Opioid Tablets via Alternative Oral Modes of Administration

Objective

Some crush-resistant tablet formulations (CRTs) reduce prescription opioid abuse by nonoral routes of administration (ROAs), especially insufflation and injection, while oral abuse increases. Oral abuse involving product manipulation vs swallowing whole for CRTs and comparators was examined.

Methods

Abuse by oral modes of administration (e.g., swallowing whole, chewing, dissolving in the mouth), was examined using the ASI-MV, a computerized, clinical interview for adults in substance abuse treatment from January 2009 to March 2015. CRTs (reformulated oxycodone extended-release [ER], reformulated oxymorphone ER, and tapentadol ER) were compared with non-CRT versions, morphine ER, and oxycodone immediate-release single entity. Analyses employed descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Results

Among 364,329 unique assessments, 18,135 patients reported oral abuse of the CRTs and comparators examined. CRTs had a higher prevalence of oral abuse involving product manipulation than comparators (P < 0.0001) among all abusers of product. Oral abuse involving product manipulation for CRTs was greater among the subset of patients reporting oral abuse and significantly higher than comparators (P < 0.003). CRTs were significantly less likely than comparators to be swallowed whole (P < 0.0001) and significantly more likely to be chewed (P < 0.003). CRTs were more likely to be dissolved in the mouth than most comparators.

Conclusions

Results suggest the need for abuse-deterrent formulations designed to reduce abuse by oral administration with product manipulation, such as chewing. Advances in this area may reduce the overall abuse of prescription opioids and interrupt the progression from abuse by swallowing whole to oral administration involving product manipulation and other ROAs.

Prescription opioid use by injured workers in Tennessee: a descriptive study using linked statewide databases

PURPOSE

This is the first study in Tennessee to measure opioid use in injured workers and among the first nationally to use a prescription drug monitoring program to do so. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the prevalence of opioid use after injury and associated characteristics among workers reporting one injury to Tennessee Workers' Compensation.

METHODS

Injured workers identified in Workers' Compensation records 2013-2015 were linked to their prescription history in Tennessee's prescription drug monitoring database.

RESULTS

Among 172,256 injured workers, the prevalence of receiving an opioid after injury was 22.8% in 1 week, 29.7% in 1 month, and 33.3% in 6 months. Receiving an opioid was associated with having a fracture (odds ratio, 4.9; 95% confidence interval, 4.64-5.11 vs. other injuries). Hydrocodone short-acting was the most commonly received opioid (69.5% of injured workers), and the mean of each worker's maximum dose was 42.8 morphine milligram equivalents (SD 39.26). Ten percent of injured workers who received opioids also received a benzodiazepine.

CONCLUSIONS

Injured workers have a high prevalence of opioid use after injury, but prescribing patterns generally tend to follow Tennessee prescribing guidelines.

Prevalence of nonmedical use and routes of administration for prescription stimulant medications among adults in a substance abuse treatment population

The aim was to examine prevalence of past 30-day prescription stimulant nonmedical use (NMU) by adults assessed for substance use problems and to better understand patterns of route of administration (ROA) and drug problem severity. Data were collected from a computer administered assessment of substance use problems completed by adults (age ≥ 18) using the Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version (ASI-MV^®) as part of the clinical intake process between January 2013 and March 2016. A cross-sectional observational study examined prevalence and prescription-adjusted prevalence of past 30-day NMU of prescription stimulants and compound-specific use by ROA (oral, snort, smoke, inject, other oral, and alternate ROA). Compounds of interest were amphetamine extended-release (ER), amphetamine immediate-release (IR), amphetamine mixed salts, methylphenidate ER, and methylphenidate IR. Of 198,411 respondents, 4,185 reported prescription stimulant NMU, prevalence ranged from 0.33% for methylphenidate IR to 1.61% for amphetamine mixed salts. Prescription-adjusted prevalence of NMU was highest for methylphenidate IR (0.51%) and lowest for amphetamine ER (0.28%). The most common ROA was oral, swallowed whole followed by snorting. There was a greater probability of nonmedical prescription stimulant use among respondents with higher drug severity ratings. Results suggest that one should not overlook the impact of prescription stimulant NMU in adults in treatment for substance use problems. NMU of prescription stimulants was associated with riskier routes of administration than reported for college student samples. A pattern of high-risk alternate ROA and increasing drug problem severity has important implications of substance use evaluation.

Prescription of pain medication in prisons: A comparative analysis of younger and older male prisoners

PURPOSE

In prison populations, treating pain is particularly challenging, especially for the growing number of older prisoners. The objective was to find out about prevalence, frequency, and types of pain medications prescribed to older prisoners (≥50 years) in comparison with younger prisoners (<50 years).

METHODS

Data were collected in Switzerland as part of a study on ageing prisoners' health. Fifteen prisons (out of 26 of the total eligible population) agreed to take part, and data from medical records of 190 older and 190 younger male prisoners were analysed. Descriptive statistics on pain medication prescriptions (excluding drugs used in opioid dependence) were carried out and differences between the 2 age groups tested for statistical significance.

RESULTS

More than half of younger and older prisoners were prescribed pain medication during the past 180 days, while 10% of younger and 15% of older prisoners were prescribed pain medication on a daily basis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and "other analgesics and antipyretics" were most frequently prescribed. Significantly (P < .05), more younger than older prisoners were prescribed NSAIDs and drugs to treat muscle skeletal pain. Tramadol was the opioid most often prescribed.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first empirical study investigating prescriptions of pain medication in Swiss prisoners on a national level. It shows that nonopioid pain medication is an important part of health care provision inside prison, while there are only few prescriptions of strong opioids. Research is needed to investigate whether the standard set by the principle of equivalence is met regarding treatment of pain in prison.

Abuse-deterrent Opioid Formulations

Abuse-deterrent opioid formulations have been suggested as one way to decrease the abuse, addiction, and overdose of orally prescribed opioids. Ten oral opioid formulations have received abuse-deterrent labeling by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Their properties consist of physical and/or chemical means by which the pills resist manipulation and create a barrier to unintended administration, such as chewing, nasal snorting, smoking, and intravenous injection. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of abuse-deterrent technology, the types of premarketing studies required for FDA approval, the pharmacology of the currently approved abuse-deterrent opioid formulations, and the evidence for and against their influence on opioid abuse. We conclude that there is currently insufficient evidence to indicate that the availability of abuse-deterrent opioid formulations has altered the trajectory of opioid overdose and addiction; however, postmarketing studies are in their infancy, and novel deterrent formulations are continually being developed and submitted for marketing approval.

Medical prescriptions falsified by the patients: a 12-year national monitoring to assess prescription drug diversion

Diversion of prescription drugs is difficult to assess in quality and quantity. This study aimed to characterize diversion of prescription drugs in France through a comparative analysis of falsified prescriptions collected during three periods from 2001 to 2012. The data recorded in a national program which records all falsified prescriptions presented to community pharmacies were studied. Included data regarded: subjects, prescription forms, and drugs. Description of the dataset in three periods (2001-2004, 2005-2008, and 2009-2012) was completed with clustering analyses to characterize profiles of prescriptions and subjects associated with the most reported drugs. The 4469 falsified prescriptions concerned most often females (51.6%). Average age was 46.5 years. Zolpidem, bromazepam, and buprenorphine were the most frequent drugs. Alone, 13 drugs (1.7%, 13/772) represented more than 40% of the total reports (3055/7272). They were associated with three diversion profiles: (i) buprenorphine, flunitrazepam, and morphine were mentioned on overlapping secure prescription forms presented by young men; (ii) alprazolam, bromazepam, zolpidem, codeine/acetaminophen were mentioned on simple prescription forms presented by experienced women; and (iii) acetaminophen and lorazepam were mentioned on modified prescription forms presented by elderly subjects. Clonazepam, clorazepate, dextropropoxyphene, zopiclone moved between those profiles. The patterns of falsified prescriptions provided in this study contribute to enhance the scientific knowledge on the most diverted prescription drugs. The latter follow distinct trajectories across time depending on their pharmacology (including their abuse/addiction potential) and on their regulation's history. The close and continuous analysis of falsified prescriptions is an excellent way to monitor prescription drug diversion.

Impact of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) on opioid utilization among Medicare beneficiaries in 10 US States

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) are a principal strategy used in the United States to address prescription drug abuse. We (1) compared opioid use pre- and post-PDMP implementation and (2) estimated differences of PDMP impact by reason for Medicare eligibility and plan type.

DESIGN

Analysis of opioid prescription claims in US states that implemented PDMPs relative to non-PDMP states during 2007-12.

SETTING

Florida, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Vermont, Georgia, Wisconsin, Maryland, New Hampshire and Arkansas, USA.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 310 105 disabled and older adult Medicare enrolees.

MEASUREMENTS

Primary outcomes were monthly total opioid volume, mean daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME) dose per prescription and number of opioid prescriptions dispensed. The key predictors were PDMP status and time. Tests for moderation examined PDMP impact by Medicare eligibility (disability versus age) and drug plan [privately provided Medicare Advantage (MAPD) versus fee-for-service (PDP)].

FINDINGS

Overall, PDMP implementation was associated with reduced opioid volume [-2.36 kg/month, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -3.44, -1.28] and no changes in mean MMEs or opioid prescriptions 12 months after implementation compared with non-PDMP states. We found evidence of strong moderation effects. In PDMP states, estimated monthly opioid volumes decreased 1.67 kg (95% CI = -2.38, -0.96) and 0.75 kg (95% CI = -1.32, -0.18) among disabled and older adults, respectively, and 1.2 kg, regardless of plan type. MME reductions were 3.73 mg/prescription (95% CI = -6.22, -1.24) in disabled and 3.02 mg/prescription (95% CI = -3.86, -2.18) in MAPD beneficiaries, but there were no changes in older adults and PDP beneficiaries. Dispensed prescriptions increased 259/month (95% CI = 39, 479) among the disabled and decreased 610/month (95% CI = -953, -257) among MAPD beneficiaries.

CONCLUSIONS

Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are associated with reductions in opioid use, measured by volume, among disabled and older adult Medicare beneficiaries in the United States compared with states that do not have PDMPs. PDMP impact on daily doses and daily prescriptions varied by reason for eligibility and plan type. These findings cannot be generalized beyond the 10 US states studied.

Patterns of abuse and routes of administration for immediate-release hydrocodone combination products

PURPOSE

Prescriptions for hydrocodone immediate-release (IR) combination products have recently decreased, yet they represent the majority of opioid prescriptions dispensed and are commonly abused analgesics among both adults and adolescents. Little data exist to understand the contribution of IR products to the problem of prescription opioid abuse. This study aimed to better understand abuse patterns for hydrocodone IR combination products among adult and adolescent substance abusers.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study examines abuse prevalence (including abuse adjusted for prescription volume and morphine milligram equivalents) and abuse characteristics for hydrocodone IR combination products and other prescription opioids among separate samples of adults and adolescents assessed for substance abuse problems or entering treatment from January 2012 through June 2015.

RESULTS

Results indicate higher abuse for hydrocodone IR combination products than other opioid categories per 100 assessments but lower per prescriptions dispensed. Hydrocodone IR combination products had similar abuse prevalence to all extended-release and long-acting opioids when considering abuse measured per morphine milligram equivalents dispensed. An upward trend in hydrocodone IR combination product abuse was observed among adult substance abusers comparing the period prior to and after Drug Enforcement Administration rescheduling of these products in October 2014. Most individuals reported oral abuse of hydrocodone IR combination products, but snorting, reported by 23% of hydrocodone IR combination product abusers, also appears to be a route of abuse that may have public health relevance.

CONCLUSIONS

Given their high prescription volume, hydrocodone IR combination products, even at a relatively low prevalence of abuse, may contribute substantially to the overall problem of prescription opioid abuse. Additional public health interventions, including development of abuse-deterrent formulations for these types of opioid products may aid in reducing their abuse.

Sustained reduction of diversion and abuse after introduction of an abuse deterrent formulation of extended release oxycodone

BACKGROUND

The development of abuse deterrent formulations is one strategy for reducing prescription opioid misuse and abuse. A putative abuse deterrent formulation of oxycodone extended release (OxyContin^®) was introduced in 2010. Early reports demonstrated reduced abuse and diversion, however, an analysis of social media found 32 feasible methods to circumvent the abuse deterrent mechanism. We measured trends of diversion, abuse and street price of OxyContin to assess the durability of the initial reduction in abuse.

METHODS

Data from the Poison Center Program, Drug Diversion Program, Opioid Treatment Program, Survey of Key Informant Patients Program and StreetRx program of the Researched Abuse, Diversion, and Addiction-Related Surveillance (RADARS^®) System were used. The average quarterly rates of abuse and diversion for OxyContin were compared from before reformulation to the rate in second quarter 2015. Rates were adjusted for population using US Census data and drug availability.

RESULTS

OxyContin abuse and diversion declined significantly each quarter after reformulation and persisted for 5 years. The rate of abuse of other opioid analgesics increased initially and then decreased, but to lesser extent than OxyContin. Abuse through both oral and non-oral routes of self-administration declined following the reformulation. The geometric mean difference in the street price of reformulated OxyContin was 36% lower than the reformulated product in the year after reformulation.

DISCUSSION

Despite methods to circumvent the abuse deterrent mechanism, abuse and diversion of OxyContin decreased promptly following the introduction of a crush- and solubility- resistant formulation and continued to decrease over the subsequent 5 years.

The effect of an abuse-deterrent opioid formulation (OxyContin) on opioid abuse-related outcomes in the postmarketing setting

An extended‐release opioid analgesic (OxyContin, OC) was reformulated with abuse‐deterrent properties to deter abuse. This report examines changes in abuse through oral and nonoral routes, doctor‐shopping, and fatalities in 10 studies 3.5 years after reformulation. Changes in OC abuse from 1 year before to 3 years after OC reformulation were calculated, adjusted for prescription changes. Abuse of OC decreased 48% in national poison center surveillance systems, decreased 32% in a national drug treatment system, and decreased 27% among individuals prescribed OC in claims databases. Doctor‐shopping for OC decreased 50%. Overdose fatalities reported to the manufacturer decreased 65%. Abuse of other opioids without abuse‐deterrent properties decreased 2 years later than OC and with less magnitude, suggesting OC decreases were not due to broader opioid interventions. Consistent with the formulation, decreases were larger for nonoral than oral abuse. Abuse‐deterrent opioids may mitigate abuse and overdose risks among chronic pain patients.

Non-prescribed use of psychoactive prescription drugs among drug-impaired drivers in Sweden

AIMS

To determine the prevalence of non-prescribed drug use among subjects suspected of drug-impaired driving with a psychoactive prescription drug, and to identify associated factors.

METHODS

Subjects investigated for drug-impaired driving in Sweden during 2006-2009 with a confirmed intake of diazepam, flunitrazepam, tramadol, zolpidem or zopiclone were identified using the Swedish Forensic Toxicology Database. Information on dispensed prescription drugs was retrieved from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Non-prescribed use was our outcome, defined as a psychoactive prescription drug intake confirmed by toxicological analysis in a subject by whom it was not dispensed in the 12 months preceding the sampling. Prevalence proportions were calculated for each drug and logistic regression was used to identify associated factors.

RESULTS

In total, 2225 subjects were included. The median age (range) was 34 (15-80) years and 1864 (83.8%) subjects were male. Non-prescribed use was found in 1513 subjects (58.7%); for flunitrazepam 103 (76.3%), diazepam 1098 (74.1%), tramadol 192 (40.3%), zopiclone 60 (29.7%), and zolpidem 60 (21.2%) subjects, respectively. Younger age and multiple-substance use were associated with non-prescribed use, whereas ongoing treatment with other psychoactive drugs was negatively associated with non-prescribed use.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-prescribed use of psychoactive prescription drugs was common in subjects suspected of drug-impaired driving and was more frequent for benzodiazepines and tramadol compared to zolpidem and zopiclone. The young and multi-substance users were more likely, whereas subjects with ongoing prescribed treatment with other psychoactive drugs were less likely, to use non-prescribed drugs.

Harmonizing post-market surveillance of prescription drug misuse: a systematic review of observational studies using routinely collected data (2000-2013)

BACKGROUND

Prescription drug misuse is a growing public health concern globally. Routinely collected data provide a valuable tool for quantifying prescription drug misuse.

OBJECTIVE

To synthesize the global literature investigating prescription drug misuse utilizing routinely collected, person-level prescription/dispensing data to examine reported measures, documented extent of misuse and associated factors.

METHODS

The MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, MEDLINE In Process, Scopus citations and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant articles published between 1 January 2000 and 31 July 2013. A total of 10,803 abstracts were screened and 281 full-text manuscripts were retrieved. Fifty-two peer-reviewed, English-language manuscripts met our inclusion criteria-an aim/method investigating prescription drug misuse in adults and a measure of misuse derived exclusively from prescription/dispensing data.

RESULTS

Four proxies of prescription drug misuse were commonly used across studies: number of prescribers, number of dispensing pharmacies, early refills and volume of drugs dispensed. Overall, 89 unique measures of misuse were identified across the 52 studies, reflecting the heterogeneity in how measures are constructed: single or composite; different thresholds, cohort definitions and time period of assessment. Consequently, it was not possible to make definitive comparisons about the extent (range reported 0.01-93.5 %), variations and factors associated with prescription drug misuse.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine data collections are relatively consistent across jurisdictions. Despite the heterogeneity of the current literature, our review identifies the capacity to develop universally accepted metrics of misuse applied to a core set of variables in prescription/dispensing claims. Our timely recommendations have the potential to unify the global research field and increase the capacity for routine surveillance of prescription drug misuse.

The POPPY Research Programme protocol: investigating opioid utilisation, costs and patterns of extramedical use in Australia

INTRODUCTION

Opioid prescribing is increasing in many countries. In Australia, there is limited research on patterns of prescribing and access, or the outcomes associated with this use. The aim of this research programme is to use national dispensing data to estimate opioid use and costs, including problematic or extramedical use in the Australian population.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

In a cohort of persons dispensed at least one opioid in 2013, we will estimate monthly utilisation and costs of prescribed opioids, overall and according to individual opioid formulations and strengths. In a cohort of new opioid users, commencing therapy between 1 July 2009 and 31 December 2013, we will examine patterns of opioid use including initiation of therapy, duration of treatment and concomitant use of opioids and other prescribed medicines. We will also examine patterns of extramedical opioid use based on indicators including excess dosing, use of more than one opioid concomitantly, doctor/pharmacy shopping and accelerated time to prescription refill.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This protocol was approved by the NSW Population and Health Services Ethics Committee (March 2014) and data access approved by the Department of Human Services External Review Evaluation Committee (June 2014). This will be one of the first comprehensive Australian studies with the capability to investigate individual patterns of use and track extramedical use. In the first instance our analysis will be based on 5 years of dispensing data but will be expanded with ongoing annual data updates. This research has the capability to contribute significantly to pharmaceutical policy within Australia and globally. In particular, the trajectory of extramedical prescription-opioid use has been the subject of limited research to date. The results of this research will be published widely in general medical, pharmacoepidemiology, addiction and psychiatry journals.