Which psychoactive prescription drugs are illegally obtained and through which ways of acquisition? About OPPIDUM survey

Increase of cannabis and cocaine use by pregnant women in France from 2005 to 2018: Insights of the annual cross sectional OPPIDUM survey

CONTEXT

Substance use disorders during pregnancy are associated with antenatal, neonatal and long-term adverse drug reactions in children. The aim of this study was to describe, using data from OPPIDUM survey, the evolution of illicit substance use or diverted prescription drug use among pregnant women visiting French addiction care centres from 2005 to 2018.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The current study focused on women of childbearing age (15-44years old) identified as pregnant, and included in the OPPIDUM survey from 2005 to 2018. OPPIDUM is a French nationwide survey repeated each year since 1995, which anonymously collects information on drug abuse and dependence observed in patients recruited in addiction care centres. Patterns of illicit substance use, psychoactive medications, and opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) were described over time (by period of 2 years) and changes between 2005-2006 and 2017-2018 were investigated.

RESULTS

From 2005 to 2018, 784 pregnant women were included in the OPPIDUM survey (median age 28, interquartile range (IQR): 25-33). The proportion of women using exclusively cannabis (1.2% vs. 17.1%, P=0.0004) and cocaine (including crack) use (4.7% vs. 14.3%, P=0.0384) significantly increased over the period. Considering the first substance reported as leading to dependence, heroin significantly decreased (78.8% vs. 50.0%, P=0.0002) whereas cannabis significantly increased (5.9% vs. 25.7%, P=0.0005).

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted an important change of patterns of drug use by French pregnant women over a 14-year-period. Health professionals must be aware of these changes to adapt prevention and care among women of childbearing age and pregnant women.

Addictovigilance in women, the hidden part of the iceberg?

Epidemiology of substance use disorders and their complications is driven by a male predominance, and women, even if they are more and more prevalent, are never specifically represented in studies in the field. Apart from the time of pregnancy, which in itself requires specific prevention, treatment and follow-up, the importance of the sex of women in the complications of substance abuse is neglected. To illustrate, we described some characteristics of women identified in the addictovigilance information system in France and Europe, related to drug use disorders (both for illicit substances and medications). Even if the exposure to some psychoactive substances remains more prevalent in men, women, and particularly young women, seem to be more vulnerable to the adverse effects of these substances, as observed for opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, cannabis and even nitrous oxide. It is now imperative that the female sex/gender be taken into consideration in addictovigilance expertise and in drug safety in general, even for substances for which use is predominantly male. In addition, the adequate management of the women requires the development of specific prevention and care strategies.

Patterns of use and adverse events reported among persons who regularly inject buprenorphine: a systematic review

Background and Aims

Given the ongoing opioid crisis, novel interventions to treat severe opioid use disorder (OUD) are urgently needed. Injectable opioid agonist therapy (iOAT) with diacetylmorphine or hydromorphone is effective for the treatment of severe, treatment-refractory OUD, however barriers to implementation persist. Intravenous buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD (BUP iOAT) has several possible advantages over traditional iOAT, including a safety profile that might enable take-home dosing. We aimed to characterize injecting practices among real-world populations of persons who regularly inject buprenorphine, as well as associated adverse events reported in order to inform a possible future BUP iOAT intervention.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO from inception through July 2020 and used backwards citation screening to search for publications reporting on dose, frequency among persons who regularly inject the drug, or adverse events associated with intravenous use of buprenorphine. The review was limited to English language publications and there was no limitation on study type. Study quality and risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Narrative synthesis was used in reporting the results.

Results

Eighty-eight studies were included in our review. Regular injection of buprenorphine was identified across diverse settings world-wide. Daily dose of oral buprenorphine injected was < 1–12 mg. Frequency of injection was 0–10 times daily. Adverse events could be characterized as known side effects of opioids/buprenorphine or injection-related complications. Most studies were deemed to be of low quality.

Conclusions

Extramedical, intravenous use of buprenorphine, continues to be documented. BUP iOAT may be feasible and results may inform the development of a study to test the efficacy and safety of such an intervention. Future work should also examine acceptability among people with severe OUD in North America. Our review was limited by the quality of included studies.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12954-022-00695-5.

Antidepressants abuse in subjects with opioid use disorders: A 10-year study in the French OPPIDUM program

Accumulating evidence shows that some antidepressants are abused for their psychostimulant effects, but the extent of antidepressants abuse is unknown in subjects with opioid use disorders (OUD). The objective of this work is to assess the prevalence of antidepressant abuse and its correlates in subjects with OUD. Subjects ≥18 year-old in an opiate maintenance treatment (OMT) program who reported using an antidepressant were selected from the OPPIDUM program from 2011 to 2020. The outcome was antidepressant abuse. Antidepressant abusers were identified as subjects reporting at least one of the following behaviors: "drug abuse," "concomitant use of alcohol," "illegal obtaining," and "dose higher than recommended in the Summary of Product Characteristics." Among the 83 040 observations of subjects ≥18 year-old in an OMT program included in the OPPIDUM program from 2011 to 2020, 2708 (3.3%) subjects reported using an antidepressant in monotherapy. Among them, there were 385 (14.2%) abusers. The proportion of abusers was the highest for amitriptyline (n = 31, 25.0%). In multivariate analysis, antidepressant abuse was positively associated with amitriptyline (OR 2.07, 95% CI [1.16, 3.73]; p = 0.015), unemployment (OR 1.52, 95% CI [1.16, 2.01]; p = 0.003), the use of intravenous route of administration (OR 1.77, 95% CI [1.12, 2.80]; p = 0.014), and the use of benzodiazepines (OR 1.53, 95% CI [1.21, 1.94]; p < 0.001). Clinicians should be aware of the risk of antidepressant abuse when prescribing in subjects with OUD, accounting for their heterogeneous pharmacological properties that may account for their abuse potential.

Analisi di Budget Impact della formulazione depot di buprenorfina a rilascio prolungato per la gestione di pazienti affetti da disturbo da uso di oppiacei

Background:

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a disorder associated with significant rate of morbidity and mortality. Frequent clinic attendance for supervised consumption of sublingual buprenorphine is common. Prolonged-release buprenorphine (PRB) allows a management based on weekly or monthly subcutaneous injections, thus limiting the burdens of clinic attendance and the risks associated with sublingual formulations.

Objective:

To determine the price level of PRB that allows to obtain a neutral impact from the point of view of the economic resources absorbed, in comparison with the alternatives currently available in the Italian context for the management of patients suffering from OUD.

Methods:

The analysis assumes a daily PRB cost of € 8.526 (neutral cost). The analysis aims to determine the economic impact associated with the introduction of PRB in the Italian context for the management of OUD patients. Results are expressed in terms of differential resources absorbed in the alternative scenarios. A one-way sensitivity analysis was also carried out to test the robustness of the results.

Results:

The introduction of PRB implies an increase in the drug acquisition costs over the 5-year time horizon of € 23,016,194.61: such costs are fully compensated by the other cost driver considered in the analysis (drug tests provided, health professionals’ time destined to the provision of the treatment, indirect costs, for savings equal to € 7,255,602.59, € 10,714,320.08 and € 5,046,271.94 respectively) demonstrating its effectiveness in particular by an organizational point of view. Lower price levels for PRB would imply significant savings for the SSN.

Conclusions:

PRB resulted to be associated to a lower level of resources’ absorption in the Italian sector as compared with the available alternatives thus allowing to re-allocate health founds to other fields of the care sector ensuring greater safety for patients and a decreased misuse and diversion rate.

Change in the regulatory framework for zolpidem: What is the impact on the landscape of the prescription of sedative medications? The French national ZORRO study

AIMS

In recent years, zolpidem has been the subject of numerous reports of misuse, abuse and dependence. In view of these risks, the French drug agency (ANSM) decreed in April 2017 the implementation of secure prescription pads. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of this regulatory measure on the prescription of zolpidem and other sedative medications (zopiclone, benzodiazepines and antihistamines) in long-term users of zolpidem and associated factors.

METHODS

We performed a historical cohort study using data from the Generalist Sample of Beneficiaries (EGB). All patients aged over 18 years old who were long-term users (at least 3 months) before the measure were enacted. We analysed the reimbursement trajectories of zolpidem, zopiclone, benzodiazepines and antihistamines (hydroxyzine and alimemazine) up to 2 years after the measure using a state sequence analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 2502 patients were analysed. A four-cluster typology was identified: continuation of zolpidem (n = 1044, 42%), discontinuation of sedative medications (n = 766, 31%), change to zopiclone (n = 537, 21%) and change to hypnotic benzodiazepines (n = 155, 6%). The most frequently prescribed hypnotic benzodiazepine was lormetazepam. We identified age, sex, treatment for psychiatric or addictive disorder and volume of zolpidem use before the measure as factors associated with different reimbursement trajectories after the regulatory change.

CONCLUSION

The regulatory change for zolpidem prescriptions reduced exposure to zolpidem among long-term users and also had a broad impact on prescriptions of other sedative medications. Switching to other medications that also present a potential risk of abuse or dependence should be carefully monitored.

Methylphenidate for Attention-Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder in Adult Patients With Substance Use Disorders: Good Clinical Practice

Attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a widespread neurodevelopmental disorder in children and adolescents, persisting into adulthood in a majority of them. ADHD and substance use disorders (SUDs) commonly co-occur in the clinical adult population. The higher-than-normal prevalence rates of SUDs in people with ADHD indicate increased risk for developing SUD. This narrative review deals with the question of whether or not adults with both disorders should be treated with methylphenidate (MPH), addressing specific issues surrounding this form of treatment. MPH is considered as first-line pharmacotherapy for ADHD. However, because of its stimulant-like reinforcing properties, MPH has a significant addictive potential to which persons with SUDs are especially susceptible. Appropriate treatment is therefore complex. Because of concerns about misuse and diversion of MPH medication, clinicians may be reluctant to use MPH to manage ADHD symptoms in these patients. However, it is essential to diagnose and treat ADHD adequately as appropriate therapy reduces the impairments, as well as the risk of developing comorbid disorders and poor treatment response. MPH should not be deprived of these patients because of the risk for misuse, especially as several strategies can be applied to minimize this risk. To conclude, carefully applied guideline-based diagnostics to clarify the potential presence of ADHD as well as a responsible prescription practice in a well-defined therapeutic setting with reliable monitoring of medication intake and regular consultations are essential conditions for a safe and proficient MPH treatment of ADHD in patients with SUD.

A ternary nanocomposite based on nickel(iii) oxide@f-CNF/rGO for efficient electrochemical detection of an antipsychotic drug (Klonopin) in biological samples

The formation of the Ni₂O₃@f-CNF/rGO composite for the electrochemical detection of KNP.

[Safety signal detection by the French Addictovigilance Network: Innovative methods of investigation, examples and usefulness for public health]

The French Addictovigilance Network aims to monitor all psychoactive substances with abuse potential including prescription drugs and other legal and illegal substances such as new psychoactive substances (NPS) and its consequences in humans. Created in 1990 through a network of regional addictovigilance centres covering the entire country, these pharmacologists with expertise in addictovigilance have developed interface with different partners (physicians, toxicologists, network of community pharmacies, addictology care centers…) and implemented several original tools of pharmacosurveillance (such as DRAMES [death related to the abuse of medicines] in strong collaboration with toxicologists or such OPPIDUM [observation of illegal products and misuse of psychotropic medications]), complementary to the spontaneous reporting. A such multidimensional approach including proactive surveillance by these tools and also among several heterogenous data sources (such as data from hospitals or claims database) is able to detect early addictovigilance signals and warnings as illustrated with three following examples: cannabis use and acute serious cardiovascular disorders, new synthetic opioids (ocfentanil, carfentanil) and severe opiate overdose or deaths, the diverted use of psychoactive drugs (codeine analgesics or sedative H1 antihistamines called purple drank) by adolescents and young adults. The choice of a broad strategy and the multifaceted system implemented by the French Addictovigilance Network using elements of pharmacology (fundamental, clinical, pharmacoepidemiology) expertise is an innovative method to detect early addictovigilance signals, and to describe its characteristics in order to increase awareness of psychoactive substances by patients, users and health professionals.

Patterns of gabapentin and pregabalin use and misuse: Results of a population-based cohort study in France

AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess the use and factors associated with the misuse of gabapentin and pregabalin in the general French population, through a cohort study in the EGB (General Sample of Beneficiaries), a national representative sample of the French general population.

METHODS

New users of gabapentin and pregabalin were identified from June 2006 to December 2014, and new users of duloxetine served as control group. Misuse was defined as a use of higher daily doses than recommended. Cox proportional hazard regression models were performed to identify associated factors of misuse.

RESULTS

Misuse was more frequent in the 8692 new users of pregabalin (12.8%) than in the 1963 gabapentin (6.6%) or the 3214 duloxetine new users (9.7%) (P < 0.001). Factors associated with misuse were pregabalin (hazard ratio [HR] 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.29-1.69]), age (HR_{[18-45] versus > 70 years} 1.98 [1.70-2.31] and HR_{[58-70] versus > 70 years} 1.25 [1.06-1.47]), multiple prescribers (HR_{2 or 3 versus 1 prescriber} 1.29 [1.15-1.45]; HR_{4 or more versus 1 prescriber} 1.54 [1.30-1.83]), cancer (1.28 [1.11-1.47]), multiple sclerosis (1.53 [1.07-2.18]), neuropathy (1.85 [1.19-2.89]), depression (1.26 [1.07-1.49]) and methadone (2.61 [1.16-5.84]). After this first episode of drug misuse, 11.6% of gabapentin and 10.7% of pregabalin misusers developed a primary addiction.

CONCLUSION

In a cohort of new users, misuse is more likely to occur in new users of pregabalin, with different associated factors of misuse compared to gabapentin and duloxetine. Health professionals and prescribers must be aware of this misuse potential, which could lead to abuse and dependence.

Klonopin assay using modified electrode with multiwalled carbon nanotubes and poly melamine nanocomposite

Developing of cheap, sensitive and stable sensors plays a significant role in pharmaceutical and clinical applications. Considering the effective role of Klonopin (KNP) in the treatment of epilepsy, KNP quantification in its production process for dose adjustments and checking the purity and also after its usage by patents for bioavailability testing and effectiveness assay is vital. In present work, an efficient electrochemical sensor based on poly melamine and multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite (PMela/CNTs) was constructed which displayed effective electrochemical response toward KNP. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square-wave voltammetry (SWV) experiments were applied for performance evaluation of the PMela/CNTs modified electrode and electrochemical redox behavior of KNP. Distinguish synergetic effect was observed between CNTs and poly melamine in response to KNP electrochemical redox reaction. A linear detection range of 0.05 to 10 μM with the detection limits of 63 nM was achieved for KNP analysis. The practical application of the PMela/CNTs modified electrode revealed satisfactory results for quantification of KNP in biological fluids.

Methadone Maintenance Treatment: A 15-year Retrospective Study in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia

BACKGROUND

The aim of this retrospective study is to use existing epidemiological data on patients in methadone maintenance treatment in Split-Dalmatia County from 2001 to 2015 to evaluate the substitution treatment system and policy of opiate addicts treatment, the epidemiological trend, and risk of overdose mortality. In addition, we would like to highlight the problem of poor control of methadone therapy and thus the possibility of selling methadone. The result is a greater number of deaths caused by methadone in people who were not in methadone therapy.

METHODS

The research included data collected from 3189 patients who had been in the drug abuse treatment program in Split-Dalmatia County during 2001-2015 and data gathered from autopsy examinations of patients in Split-Dalmatia County with emphasis on data for 186 overdosed patients during research period.

RESULTS

The total number of patients in the methadone treatment program in Split-Dalmatia County during the research period, except in 2005 and 2006, has been stable, while the number of new opiate patients, being in first-time treatment, decreased by 62.5%. The number of addicts who were in a long-term maintenance program has increased by 198%, whereas the number of addicts who were in a short-term detoxification treatment has decreased by 96.4%. According to results obtained from performed autopsies, 186 death cases were determined as overdoses. Methadone was found in 56 of those cases and was declared as the cause of death in 39 cases (70%). Of the total number of autopsied patients with diagnosed methadone overdose, only 23 (59%) had been recorded to receive methadone therapy in Public Health Institute of Split-Dalmatia County database.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show the favorable epidemiological trend because of the decreasing number of new opiate patients in treatment. The retention of opiate patients in substitution therapy indicates the effectiveness of methadone maintenance programs. Our research did not determine any influence of methadone substitution therapy on an increasing risk of specific (overdose) mortality.

The source and diversion of pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical use: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The non-medical use (NMU) of pharmaceutical drugs is an increasing public health concern. This systematic review consolidates current knowledge about how pharmaceutical drugs are obtained for NMU and the processes and people involved in diversion.

METHODS

Peer-reviewed and grey literature databases were searched for empirical studies published between 1996 and 2017 that examined the source or diversion of pharmaceutical opioids, sedatives or stimulants for NMU in countries with reported misuse problems. Pooled prevalence meta-analyses using random effects models were used to estimate the prevalence of medical and non-medical sourcing reported by end-users, and gifting, selling and trading by various populations.

RESULTS

This review synthesizes the findings of 54 cross-sectional studies via meta-analyses, with a remaining 95 studies examined through narrative review. Pharmaceutical drugs are primarily sourced for NMU from friends and family (57%, 95% CI 53%-62%, I² = 98.5, n = 30) and despite perceptions of healthcare professionals to the contrary, illegitimate practices such as doctor shopping are uncommon (7%, 95% CI 6%-10%, I² = 97.4, n = 29). Those at risk of diversion include patients displaying aberrant medication behaviors, people with substance use issues and students in fraternity/sorority environments. Sourcing via dealers is also common (32%, 95% CI 23%-41%, I² = 99.8, n = 25) and particularly so among people who use illicit drugs (47%, 95% CI 35%-60%, I² = 99.1, n = 15). There is little to no organized criminal involvement in the pharmaceutical black market.

CONCLUSION

Pharmaceutical drugs for NMU are primarily sourced by end-users through social networks. Future research should examine how dealers source pharmaceutical drugs.

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 pregnancy on psychoactive substance use among women with substance use disorders recruited in addiction specialized care centers in France

Pregnancy can be a motivation for decrease in drug abusing but may also represent a period of high vulnerability for relapse. We aimed to assess psychoactive substance use among women with substance use disorders followed in addiction care centers in France. We analyzed data from women aged 15-44 years included in the 'Observation of illegal drugs and misuse of psychotropic medication (OPPIDUM) survey', an annual cross-sectional survey collecting details on psychoactive substances used. Characteristics of women included in 2005-2012 yearly surveys were compared depending on their pregnant or not pregnant status. Factors, including pregnancy, associated with illicit substance use and medication misuse were investigated through logistic regression. The study included 518 pregnant and 6345 nonpregnant women; 85.3% pregnant women were on opioid maintenance therapy (OMT) (vs. 77.1% of nonpregnant). Pregnancy was associated with lower illicit substance use (adjusted OR 0.71 [0.58-0.88]) and with lower medication misuse (0.66 [0.49-0.89]), whereas financial insecurity and living as a couple were associated with increased risk. Raising children was significantly associated with less risk of substance use. Each substance taken separately, the part of women using illicit substance or misusing medication did not differ depending on whether they were pregnant or not, except for heroin (24.5% in pregnant vs. 17.9% nonpregnant; <0.001). This nationwide study provides new insights into psychoactive substance use in a large mixed population of women with drug use disorders. Results outline the challenge of preventing drug use and initiating care strategies with a specific approach on socio-economic environment.

Interaction between methylphenidate, methadone and different antidepressant drugs on antinociception in mice, and possible clinical implications

OBJECTIVES

Methylphenidate (MPH), a psychostimulant used for treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is widely used by patients on antidepressants and methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Preclinical studies showed MPH to exert analgesic effects when given alone or with morphine.

METHODS

Using the hotplate assay on mice, we studied the interaction of acute doses of MPH with sub-threshold doses of methadone and different antidepressant medications and the interaction of increasing doses of MPH with chronic methadone.

RESULTS

Adding a sub-threshold dose of venlafaxine, desipramine or clomipramine to MPH produced significant augmentation of MPH antinociception with each medication (P < 0.05). No such interactions were found between escitalopram and acute methadone. However, addition of increasing doses of MPH to chronic methadone given for 2 weeks using ALZET osmotic mini pumps induced augmentation of the antinociceptive effect of chronic methadone exclusively at high dose of MPH (7.5 mg/kg).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings may implicate the need of an excessive attention to the administration of MPH to MMT patients. The no interaction found between MPH and escitalopram may hint to the possibly safe co-administration of MPH and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to depressed ADHD patients. Further studies are needed in order to validate these possible clinical implications.

Multicentre study for validation of the French addictovigilance network reports assessment tool

AIMS

The French health authority (ANSM) is responsible for monitoring medicinal and other drug dependencies. To support these activities, the ANSM manages a network of 13 drug dependence evaluation and information centres (Centres d'Evaluation et d'Information sur la Pharmacodépendance - Addictovigilance - CEIP-A) throughout France. In 2006, the Nantes CEIP-A created a new tool called the EGAP (Echelle de GrAvité de la Pharmacodépendance- drug dependence severity scale) based on DSM IV criteria. This tool allows the creation of a substance use profile that enables the drug dependence severity to be homogeneously quantified by assigning a score to each substance indicated in the reports from health professionals. This article describes the validation and psychometric properties of the drug dependence severity score obtained from the scale ( Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01052675).

METHOD

The validity of the EGAP construct, the concurrent validity and the discriminative ability of the EGAP score, the consistency of answers to EGAP items, the internal consistency and inter rater reliability of the EGAP score were assessed using statistical methods that are generally used for psychometric tests.

RESULTS

The total EGAP score was a reliable and precise measure for evaluating drug dependence (Cronbach alpha = 0.84; ASI correlation = 0.70; global ICC = 0.92). In addition to its good psychometric properties, the EGAP is a simple and efficient tool that can be easily specified on the official ANSM notification form.

CONCLUSION

The good psychometric properties of the total EGAP score justify its use for evaluating the severity of drug dependence.

Buprenorphine Prescribing: To Expand or Not to Expand

As a result of the prescription opioid epidemic in the United States, there has been an increasing need for effective treatment interventions, both pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Buprenorphine has emerged as a critical component of the treatment of opioid use disorder, yet its adoption has not been without some concerns. This article first reviews the pharmacology, clinical use, and US legislative action related to buprenorphine, followed by a discussion of the misuse and diversion of buprenorphine in the United States as well as internationally. We then explore the impact of buprenorphine abuse as well as discussing strategies for its reduction, including changes in policy, prescription and pharmacy monitoring, and continuing medical education for guiding and improving clinical practice.

Incidence of high dosage buprenorphine and methadone shopping behavior in a retrospective cohort of opioid-maintained patients in France

BACKGROUND

Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST) misuse and diversion have significantly increased worldwide. Obtaining OST prescriptions from multiple prescribers, known as doctor shopping, is a way in which opioids may be diverted.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of OST (high dosage buprenorphine (HDB) and methadone (MTD)) shopping behavior and identify associated risk factors, and its impact on mortality.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of patients treated by OST between April 1, 2004 and December 31, 2012 from a sample of the French Health Insurance database was established. Doctor shopping was defined as ≥1 day of overlapping prescriptions written by ≥2 different prescribers and filled in ≥3 different pharmacies.

RESULTS

A total of 2043 patients were enrolled, 1450HDB and 593 MTD. The one-year incidence of shopping behavior was 8.4% (95% CI: 7.0-10.1) in HDB group and 0% in MTD group, compared to 0.2% (95% CI: 0.1-0.2) for diuretics. On multivariate analysis, factors associated with HDB shopping behavior were: male gender HR: 1.74 (95% CI: 1.20-2.54); low-income status HR: 2.95 (95% CI: 2.07-4.44); mental health disorders HR: 1.43 (95% CI: 1.06-1.94); concurrent hypnotics use HR: 1.90 (95% CI: 1.39-2.61); concurrent use of weak opioids HR: 1.48 (95% CI: 1.09-1.99) and morphine HR: 1.69 (95% CI: 1.02-2.80). HDB shoppers had a higher, yet non-significant risk of death (HR: 1.56 (95% CI: 0.64-3.81)) than non HDB shoppers.

CONCLUSION

Shopping behavior was only found in high dosage buprenorphine patients and concerned almost one out ten patients.

New methadone formulation in France: results from 5 years of utilization

BACKGROUND

In France, methadone has historically been less accessible than buprenorphine. In 2008, a dry formulation (capsule) was introduced into the market, aimed in particular to improve methadone accessibility.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the impact (prevalence of use, patient profiles and compliance with requirements) of the dry methadone formulation in France.

METHOD

A retrospective cohort (from 2008 to 2012) was created from the data of the French General Health Insurance System which covers 80% of the French population. For each years, all subjects affiliated to this insurance system in southeast France (about 8.5 million inhabitants) with at least two reimbursements of methadone between 1st January and 31st December were selected.

RESULTS

In 2012, the proportion of capsule users was almost the same as that of syrup users (40.0% versus 43.1%; p < 0.001). The rise in the number of methadone users has followed the rise in capsule users. Over the study period, the proportion of patients using benzodiazepines or antidepressants was 6-9% (p < 0.001) higher for capsule users than for syrup users. On average over the study period, 18% of subjects had at least one concurrent issue of the two forms.

CONCLUSION

The study has shown the rapid spread of the capsule formulation among methadone users. This may suggest that the capsule is well accepted by patients and the medical community. However, the monitoring of methadone-related deaths should continue because of the pharmacodynamic properties of methadone and the context of relaxed regulations concerning access to methadone maintenance treatement (MMT).

Abuse of methylphenidate in Germany: data from spontaneous reports of adverse drug reactions

To retrieve insights into abuse/dependence of methylphenidate (MPH) in Germany, a query of a pharmacovigilance database was performed (observation interval: 1993 until 2012). From 1190 reports of any ADR related to MPH, n=23 (2%) cases of MPH abuse were identified (mean age 29 years; male sex 78%; mean daily MPH-dosage 111 ± 126.6 mg). As oral application was predominant (70%), the majority of reported cases of MPH abuse might be due to pharmacologic neuroenhancement.

A European community pharmacy-based survey to investigate patterns of prescription fraud through identification of falsified prescriptions

AIM

To identify prescription drugs involved in falsified prescriptions in community pharmacies in 6 European countries.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey among 2,105 community pharmacies in Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden was carried out to collect all suspect prescription forms. For each reported drug, the number of reported falsified prescriptions per thousand inhabitants was estimated. A falsification ratio was calculated by dividing the number of reports by the number of defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day for this drug, computed from national sale or reimbursement data.

RESULTS

On 862 prescription forms, benzodiazepines (zolpidem, bromazepam, alprazolam), buprenorphine (as an opioid maintenance drug) and tramadol were the most frequently reported. Depending on their level of use in each country, methylphenidate, morphine and flunitrazepam presented the highest falsification ratios, particularly in Spain, Belgium and France.

CONCLUSIONS

Stimulants, opioids and some benzodiazepines were the most frequently reported drugs in this survey on falsified prescriptions, but differences between countries were observed.

OPPIDUM surveillance program: 20 years of information on drug abuse in France

It is important to assess drug abuse liability in 'real life' using different surveillance systems. Some are based on specific population surveys, such as individuals with drug abuse or dependence, or under opiate maintenance treatment, because this population is very familiar with drugs and is more likely to divert or abuse them. In France, an original surveillance system based on this specific population and called 'Observation of illegal drugs and misuse of psychotropic medications (OPPIDUM) survey' was set up in 1990 as the first of its kind. The aim of this article is to describe this precursor of French drug abuse surveillance using different examples, to demonstrate its ability to effectively give health authorities and physicians interesting data on drug abuse. OPPIDUM is an annual, cross-sectional survey that anonymously collects information on abuse and dependence observed in patients recruited in specialized care centers dedicated to drug dependence. From 1990 to 2010, a total of 50,734 patients were included with descriptions of 102,631 psychoactive substance consumptions. These data have outlined emergent behaviors such as the misuse of buprenorphine by intravenous or nasal administration. It has contributed to assess abuse liability of emergent drugs such as clonazepam or methylphenidate. This surveillance system was also able to detect the decrease of flunitrazepam abuse following implementation of regulatory measures. OPPIDUM's twenty years of experience clearly demonstrate that collection of valid and useful data on drug abuse is possible and can provide helpful information for physicians and health authorities.

Slow-release oral morphine sulfate abuse: results of the postmarketing surveillance systems for psychoactive prescription drug abuse in France

BACKGROUND

Few data are available concerning the diversion and abuse of morphine sulfate. In France, morphine sulfate abuse is currently investigated by the health authorities. The aim of our study was to provide data on morphine sulfate abuse in France, collected during the period 1996-2011.

METHODS

The French monitoring system for psychoactive medication abuse collected data from several sources: spontaneous reporting of cases of abuse or dependence (NotS; 'Notifications Spontanées'), specific periodic surveys from specialized care centers (OPPIDUM; 'Observation des Produits Psychotropes Illicites ou Détournés de leur Utilisation Médicamenteuse'), and community pharmacists (OSIAP; 'Ordonnances Suspectes Indicateur d'Abus Possible').

RESULTS

A total of 649 cases (75% men, median age: 34 years) were spontaneously reported: 578 cases of abuse and 71 cases of use as opiate maintenance treatment. The medication formulation was Skenan(®) (614 cases), and Moscontin(®) (35 cases). All surveys (NotS, OPPIDUM, and OSIAP) showed an overrepresentation of Skenan(®) (87.9-94.6% of cases) that was intravenously injected in 60.4-61.2% of the cases. Data analysis showed that patients abusing morphine sulfate have a long history of drug abuse and a history of polydrug use.

CONCLUSION

All the data presented in this study highlight the level of morphine sulfate abuse, specify the modalities of use (intravenous route), and show the risks associated with abuse (infectious diseases). This study outlines the usefulness of our epidemiological tools, and provides evidence supporting intensive surveillance.

Prescription medication exchange patterns among methadone maintenance patients

BACKGROUND

Exchange of prescription medications is a significant public health problem particularly among substance abusing populations. Little is known about the extent of medication sharing and receiving behaviors in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) populations and the factors associated with such behaviors.

METHODS

We examined rates, and factors associated with past year medication sharing and receiving practices of 315 MMT smokers who had enrolled in a clinical trial of smoking cessation. Sequential logistic regression models estimated the effect of demographic and substance use variables on the probability of sharing or receiving medications.

RESULTS

Participants averaged 40 years of age, and 49% were male. Among persons prescribed medications, 19.9% reported sharing. Nearly 40% had used medication not prescribed to them. Pain medications, sleep medications, and sedatives, were most commonly shared and received. Younger age was a significant predictor of both sharing medications (OR=0.92, 95%CI 0.88; 0.96, p<.01) and receiving medications (OR=0.94, 95%CI 0.92; 0.97, p<.01). Financial hardship (OR=2.05, 95%CI 1.13; 3.72, p<.05), and recent use of heroin (OR=5.59, 95%CI 1.89; 16.57, p<.01) or cocaine (OR=3.70, 95%CI 1.48; 9.28, p<.05), were also independently associated with a significantly higher likelihood of receiving prescription drugs of abuse.

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of prescription medication sharing and receiving behaviors among persons in MMT often include substances with abuse potential and suggest the need for comprehensive approaches for minimizing this phenomenon.