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Diaz L, Eiden C, Jouanjus E, Frauger E, Fouilhé N, Djezzar S, Gibaja V, Boucher A, Le Boisselier R, Libert F, Caous AS, Monzon E, Guerlais M, Daveluy A, Fauconneau B, Peyrière H. Alprazolam misuse: Analysis of French Addictovigilance Network data from 2011 to 2020. Therapie 2023; 78:647-657. [PMID: 36918317 DOI: 10.1016/j.therap.2023.02.002] [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: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Alprazolam, a high-potency and short-acting anxiolytic benzodiazepine, is one of the most misused benzodiazepines in France. In the context of various reports on alprazolam misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic, the objective of this study was to assess alprazolam abuse potential by analyzing French addictovigilance and international data. METHODS Data collected from 2011 to 2020 using the following epidemiological tools of the French Addictovigilance Network were analyzed: spontaneous reports (SRs), OPPIDUM (addiction care center data), OSIAP (falsified prescriptions), DRAMES (substance-related deaths), and chemical submission surveys. Moreover, the VigiBase™ database was analyzed to evaluate alprazolam abuse liability worldwide. RESULTS During the study period, 675 SRs concerning alprazolam misuse were recorded (sex ratio: ̴1; median age: 39 years). The desired effects were intensification of the therapeutic anxiolytic effect, euphoric effect, and management of substance withdrawal. Alprazolam was the third and first benzodiazepine listed in OPPIDUM and OSIAP surveys. Analysis of the SR and OPPIDUM data showed a recent increase in the alprazolam-opioid combination. In DRAMES data, alprazolam was directly linked to 11 deaths (associated with opioids in 10/11). VigiBase™ data analysis highlighted that France was the third country with the most cases of alprazolam misuse. The disproportionality analysis showed that in France, alprazolam was associated with higher risk of misuse and dependence compared with other benzodiazepines: reporting odds ratio=1.43, (95% CI: 1.04-1.95) and=1.97 (95% CI:1.50-2.59), respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study highlighted an increase in various signals of alprazolam abuse in France, and an increased use of the alprazolam-opioid combination that was also linked to most of the recorded alprazolam-linked deaths. These signals have been reported also in the international literature, and should be thoroughly investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurine Diaz
- Addictovigilance Centre, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Céline Eiden
- Addictovigilance Centre, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Emilie Jouanjus
- Addictovigilance Centre, Medecine Faculty, CHU, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Samira Djezzar
- Addictovigilance Centre, Fernand Widal Hospital, 75000 Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Frédéric Libert
- Addictovigilance Centre-CHU Clermont-Ferrand, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Emilie Monzon
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité des Médicaments et Produits de Santé (ANSM), 93210 Saint Denis La Plaine, France
| | | | - Amélie Daveluy
- Addictovigilance Centre-CHU Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Hélène Peyrière
- Addictovigilance Centre, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, CHU Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France.
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Powell D, Peet ED, Pacula RL. Understanding the rise in overdose deaths involving opioids and non-opioid prescription drugs in the United States. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023:104104. [PMID: 37422359 PMCID: PMC10770297 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies demonstrate that the reformulation of OxyContin in the U.S. in 2010 induced substitution to illicit opioids, causing illicit opioid markets to grow disproportionately fast in states more exposed to the reformulation. In this paper, we examine if this shift to the illicit market also led to a rise in polysubstance overdose deaths involving non-opioid prescription drugs, including gabapentinoids and "Z-drugs" and, separately, benzodiazepines. METHODS Using a difference-in-differences framework, the relationship between exposure to reformulation and overdose death rates including specific substances was studied in each year from 1999 to 2020 while accounting for fixed differences across states, common nationwide shocks, and state-level differences in pain reliever misuse prior to reformulation. Exposure to reformulation was measured as the pre-reformulation rate of OxyContin misuse. RESULTS Exposure to reformulation predicted growth in overdose deaths involving gabapentinoids and Z-drugs. There is less evidence that it predicted growth in overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines. However, for all substances, there is strong evidence that pre-reformulation OxyContin misuse rates predicted post-reformulation growth in overdose deaths concurrently involving synthetic opioids. DISCUSSION The opioid crisis has changed in radical ways. This study links a major supply-side intervention to the increase in polysubstance overdose deaths involving non-opioid prescription drugs, specifically gabapentinoids and Z-drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Powell
- RAND Corporation, 1200 South Hayes Street, Arlington, VA 22202 USA.
| | - Evan D Peet
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
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Péter L, Paksi B, Magi A, Eisinger A, Kótyuk E, Czakó A, Griffiths MD, Demetrovics Z, Andó B. Severity of behavioral addiction symptoms among young adults using non-prescribed sedatives/hypnotics. Addict Behav Rep 2023; 17:100485. [PMID: 36941849 PMCID: PMC10024082 DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2023.100485] [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: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Young adulthood is considered a critical period in terms of non-medical use of sedatives/hypnotics (NMUSH) as well as different types of behavioral addictions (BAs). However, the relationship between these behaviors has received scarce attention among young adult samples. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between NMUSH and symptoms of distinct BAs among young adults. Materials and methods Analyses were conducted based on the data of two large sample studies (including a representative sample) carried out with young adult samples. The following BAs were assessed: problematic internet use, problematic video gaming, problematic social media use, problem gambling, exercise addiction, eating disorders, compulsive buying behavior, problematic mobile phone use, work addiction, and hair pulling. Symptoms of distinct BAs were analyzed in three groups formed based on the NMUSH: non-users, lifetime users, and current users. Results The symptoms of problematic internet use, problematic social media use, problem gambling, exercise addiction, eating disorders, compulsive buying behavior and work addiction were significantly more severe among lifetime and/or current non-medical sedative and hypnotic users, compared to the non-user participants. The symptoms of problematic mobile phone use were the most severe in the non-user group. Conclusions The results suggest co-occurrence between NMUSH and distinct BAs among young adults. These findings draw attention to the need for preventive interventions for this high-risk population.
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Key Words
- BA, behavioral addiction
- BLS, Budapest Longitudinal Study
- BWAS, Bergen Work Addiction Scale
- Behavioral addictions
- CUs, current users
- DSM‐IV‐MR‐J, Diagnostic Statistical Manual‐IV‐Adapted for Juveniles
- EAI, Exercise Addiction Inventory
- Hypnotics
- IGD, internet gaming disorder
- IGDT-10, Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test
- LUs, lifetime users
- MGH-HPS, Massachusetts General Hospital Hairpulling Scale
- NMUSH, non-medical use of sedatives/hypnotics
- NUs, non-users
- Non-medical prescription drug use
- PGA, Psychological and Genetic Factors of Addictive Behaviors Study
- PGSI, Problem Gambling Severity Index
- PIUQ, Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire
- PMPUQ-SV, Problematic Mobile Phone Use Questionnaire
- POGQ, Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire
- RCBS, Richmond Compulsive Buying Scale
- Sedatives
- Young adults
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Péter
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Szeged, 8-10 Korányi fasor, Szeged H-6720, Hungary
| | - Borbála Paksi
- Institute of Education, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 23-27 Kazinczy Street, Budapest H-1075, Hungary
| | - Anna Magi
- Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 46 Izabella Street, Budapest H-1064, Hungary
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 46 Izabella Street, Budapest H-1064, Hungary
| | - Andrea Eisinger
- Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 46 Izabella Street, Budapest H-1064, Hungary
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 46 Izabella Street, Budapest H-1064, Hungary
| | - Eszter Kótyuk
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 46 Izabella Street, Budapest H-1064, Hungary
| | - Andrea Czakó
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 46 Izabella Street, Budapest H-1064, Hungary
- Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar, Europa Point Campus, Gibraltar GX11 1AA, Gibraltar
| | - Mark D Griffiths
- International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, NG1 4FQ Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Zsolt Demetrovics
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 46 Izabella Street, Budapest H-1064, Hungary
- Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar, Europa Point Campus, Gibraltar GX11 1AA, Gibraltar
| | - Bálint Andó
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Szeged, 8-10 Korányi fasor, Szeged H-6720, Hungary
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Ponton R, Gear G, Hadiyounzadeh P, Iqram F, Kim A, Out S, Thoo WE, Sheridan JL, Newcombe D. What Is the Quality of Web-Based Advice for the General Public on Benzodiazepine Misuse and Use Disorder? A Systematic Evaluation of Websites. JOURNAL OF CONSUMER HEALTH ON THE INTERNET 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/15398285.2023.2166269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rhys Ponton
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Addiction Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Garion Gear
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Parsa Hadiyounzadeh
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Fyrooz Iqram
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anes Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sophanna Out
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Wey Ern Thoo
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jane L. Sheridan
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Addiction Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David Newcombe
- Centre for Addiction Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Fernández-Liz E, Barceló-Colomer ME, Gómez-Ganda L, Varon-Galcera C, Lalueza-Broto P, Medel-Rebollo FJ, Hortelano-García MA, Martín-Gracia E. Prevalence of Gabapentinoids and Central Nervous System Depressant Drugs, and Their Association with Risk Factors for Respiratory Depression in Primary Care Patients. Clin Drug Investig 2022; 42:417-426. [PMID: 35446006 DOI: 10.1007/s40261-022-01144-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Warnings have been published regarding an increased risk of severe respiratory depression in patients receiving gabapentinoids either alone or in combination with opioids and/or anxiolytics/hypnotics, especially in individuals with a respiratory risk factor. The aim is to report the prevalence of the use of gabapentinoids alone and associated with central nervous system depressant drugs, and possible associated risk factors for respiratory depression, in order to identify the most fragile population and establish intervention strategies. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study using computerized prescription records from the northern area of Barcelona at Catalan Institute of Health for 363,007 inhabitants registered during 2021. Patients aged ≥ 18 years with one or more gabapentinoid prescription were included. Age, gender, polypharmacy, adjusted morbidity groups, quantity of chronic diseases, and the number of consultations per year were independent variables. Four age categories were defined (18-64 years, then 64-74, 75-84, and those aged 85 years or older). Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. Level of statistical significance was 5% (p ≤ 0.05). For the analysis, the SPSS program (version 22) was employed. RESULTS Of the study sample, 9218 were prescribed gabapentidoids. Overall prevalence of use was 3.0% (women 3.6%, men 2.4%). On the whole, women used more drugs than men. In contrast to their younger counterparts, consumption increased 2.6 times, 3.8 times, and 4.0 times in the 65-74 age group, 75-84 age group, and those aged ≥ 85 years, respectively. Mean age was 65.59 (±15.80) years. Polypharmacy (5-9 drugs) was present in 41.7% of the patients and extreme polypharmacy (≥ 10 drugs) was present in 39.3% of the patients. Regarding renal function, 2396 patients (25.9%) had glomerular filtration that required dose adjustment (76.1% with gabapentin and 23.8% with pregabalin). In 141 patients (5.9%), a total daily dose higher than that authorized (109 with gabapentin, 29 with pregabalin) had been prescribed. The prescription of gabapentinoids combined with opioids and/or anxiolytics/hypnotics was significantly associated with (i) polypharmacy (5-9 drugs, OR: 3.42 [95% CI 3.00-3.88]; ≥ 10 drugs, OR 8.72 [95% CI 7.42-10.25]); (ii) quantity of chronic diseases, OR: 1.14 (95% CI 1.11-1.17); (iii) augmented number of consultations/year, OR: 1.01 (95% CI 1.00-1.01); (iv) female gender, OR: < 1 for men, OR: 0.66 (95% CI 0.60-0.73); (v) being elderly: 65-74 years, OR: 0.71 (95% CI 0.62-0.81); 75-84 years, OR: 0.62 (95% CI 0.54-0.71); ≥85 years, OR: 0.68 (95% CI 0.58-0.81); and (vi) adjusted morbidity groups, OR: 0.90 (95% CI 0.88-0.92), (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Exposure to gabapentinoids occurs in a non-negligible percentage of the population. Greater numbers of combinations of gabapentinoids and opioids and/or anxiolytics/hypnotics were associated with polypharmacy, quantity of chronic diseases, and augmented number of consultations, but not with male gender, older age, and adjusted morbidity groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eladio Fernández-Liz
- Primary Health Care Barcelona, Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Catalan Institute of Health, CAP Poble Nou. Carrer Lope de Vega 138, 6a planta, 08005, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Maria Estrella Barceló-Colomer
- Primary Health Care Barcelona, Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Catalan Institute of Health, CAP Poble Nou. Carrer Lope de Vega 138, 6a planta, 08005, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Gómez-Ganda
- Pharmacy Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlota Varon-Galcera
- Pharmacy Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Lalueza-Broto
- Pharmacy Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Medel-Rebollo
- Pain Unit, Anaesthesia, Resuscitation and Pain Management Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Angeles Hortelano-García
- Primary Health Care Center Chafarinas, Gerencia Territorial de Barcelona, Catalan Institute of Health, Carrer Chafarinas, 2-8, 08033, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Martín-Gracia
- Primary Health Care Service Muntanya, Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Catalan Institute of Health, Avenida Meridiana, 428, 08030, Barcelona, Spain
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Engin E. GABA A receptor subtypes and benzodiazepine use, misuse, and abuse. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1060949. [PMID: 36713896 PMCID: PMC9879605 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1060949] [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] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Benzodiazepines have been in use for over half a century. While they remain highly prescribed, their unfavorable side-effect profile and abuse liability motivated a search for alternatives. Most of these efforts focused on the development of benzodiazepine-like drugs that are selective for specific GABAA receptor subtypes. While there is ample evidence that subtype-selective GABAA receptor ligands have great potential for providing symptom relief without typical benzodiazepine side-effects, it is less clear whether subtype-selective targeting strategies can also reduce misuse and abuse potential. This review focuses on the three benzodiazepine properties that are relevant to the DSM-5-TR criteria for Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder, namely, reinforcing properties of benzodiazepines, maladaptive behaviors related to benzodiazepine use, and benzodiazepine tolerance and dependence. We review existing evidence regarding the involvement of different GABAA receptor subtypes in each of these areas. The reviewed studies suggest that α1-containing GABAA receptors play an integral role in benzodiazepine-induced plasticity in reward-related brain areas and might be involved in the development of tolerance and dependence to benzodiazepines. However, a systematic comparison of the contributions of all benzodiazepine-sensitive GABAA receptors to these processes, a mechanistic understanding of how the positive modulation of each receptor subtype might contribute to the brain mechanisms underlying each of these processes, and a definitive answer to the question of whether specific chronic modulation of any given subtype would result in some or all of the benzodiazepine effects are currently lacking from the literature. Moreover, how non-selective benzodiazepines might lead to the maladaptive behaviors listed in DSM and how different GABAA receptor subtypes might be involved in the development of these behaviors remains unexplored. Considering the increasing burden of benzodiazepine abuse, the common practice of benzodiazepine misuse that leads to severe dependence, and the current efforts to generate side-effect free benzodiazepine alternatives, there is an urgent need for systematic, mechanistic research that provides a better understanding of the brain mechanisms of benzodiazepine misuse and abuse, including the involvement of specific GABAA receptor subtypes in these processes, to establish an informed foundation for preclinical and clinical efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Engin
- Stress Neurobiology Laboratory, Division of Basic Neuroscience, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Cremers S, Wright DFB. Nonmedical use of prescription drugs. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 87:1635-1636. [PMID: 33710669 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Serge Cremers
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Division of Laboratory Medicine, and Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physician and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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