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Miranda O, Fan P, Qi X, Wang H, Brannock MD, Kosten TR, Ryan ND, Kirisci L, Wang L. DeepBiomarker2: Prediction of Alcohol and Substance Use Disorder Risk in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Patients Using Electronic Medical Records and Multiple Social Determinants of Health. J Pers Med 2024; 14:94. [PMID: 38248795 PMCID: PMC10817272 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14010094] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Prediction of high-risk events amongst patients with mental disorders is critical for personalized interventions. We developed DeepBiomarker2 by leveraging deep learning and natural language processing to analyze lab tests, medication use, diagnosis, social determinants of health (SDoH) parameters, and psychotherapy for outcome prediction. To increase the model's interpretability, we further refined our contribution analysis to identify key features by scaling with a factor from a reference feature. We applied DeepBiomarker2 to analyze the EMR data of 38,807 patients from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to determine their risk of developing alcohol and substance use disorder (ASUD). DeepBiomarker2 predicted whether a PTSD patient would have a diagnosis of ASUD within the following 3 months with an average c-statistic (receiver operating characteristic AUC) of 0.93 and average F1 score, precision, and recall of 0.880, 0.895, and 0.866 in the test sets, respectively. Our study found that the medications clindamycin, enalapril, penicillin, valacyclovir, Xarelto/rivaroxaban, moxifloxacin, and atropine and the SDoH parameters access to psychotherapy, living in zip codes with a high normalized vegetative index, Gini index, and low-income segregation may have potential to reduce the risk of ASUDs in PTSD. In conclusion, the integration of SDoH information, coupled with the refined feature contribution analysis, empowers DeepBiomarker2 to accurately predict ASUD risk. Moreover, the model can further identify potential indicators of increased risk along with medications with beneficial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oshin Miranda
- Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences/School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (O.M.); (P.F.); (X.Q.)
| | - Peihao Fan
- Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences/School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (O.M.); (P.F.); (X.Q.)
| | - Xiguang Qi
- Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences/School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (O.M.); (P.F.); (X.Q.)
| | - Haohan Wang
- School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA;
| | | | - Thomas R. Kosten
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Neal David Ryan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
| | - Levent Kirisci
- Center for Education and Drug Abuse Research, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences/School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
| | - Lirong Wang
- Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences/School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (O.M.); (P.F.); (X.Q.)
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The benzodiazepine drug alprazolam, a fast-acting tranquiliser, cannot be prescribed on the National Health Service in the United Kingdom. Illicit alprazolam supply and consumption have increased. Concern about increasing numbers of alprazolam-related fatalities started circulating in 2018. However, statistics on this issue are very limited. This study examined patterns in such mortality in Scotland. METHODS Statistics on deaths where alprazolam was mentioned in the 'cause of death' were obtained from official mortality registers. Anonymised Scottish case-level data were obtained. Data were examined in respect of the characteristics of decedents and deaths using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Scotland registered 370 deaths in 2004-2020; 366 of these occurred in 2015-2020: most involved males (77.1%); mean age 39.0 (SD 12.6) years. The principal underlying cause of death was accidental poisoning: opiates/opioids (77.9%); sedatives/hypnotics (15.0%). Two deaths involved alprazolam alone. Main drug groups implicated: opiates/opioids (94.8%), 'other benzodiazepines' (67.2%), gabapentinoids (42.9%), stimulants (30.1%), antidepressants (15.0%). Two-thirds (64.2%) involved combinations of central nervous system (CNS) depressants. DISCUSSION Alprazolam-related deaths are likely due to an increasing illicit supply. The fall in deaths in 2019-2020 is partially due to increased use of designer benzodiazepines. Treatment for alprazolam dependence is growing. Clinicians need to be aware of continuing recreational alprazolam use. When such consumption occurs with CNS depressants, overdose and death risks increase. CONCLUSIONS More awareness of alprazolam contributing to deaths, especially in conjunction with other CNS depressants, is needed by consumers and clinicians. Improved monitoring of illicit supplies could identify emerging issues of medicines' abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Martin Corkery
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and
Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences,
University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, UK,John Martin Corkery, Psychopharmacology,
Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and
Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Health Research Building, College
Lane Campus, Hertfordshire AL10 9AB, UK.
| | - Amira Guirguis
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and
Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences,
University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, UK,Swansea University Medical School,
Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Stefania Chiappini
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and
Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences,
University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and
Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences,
University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, UK,Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and
Clinical Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Schifano
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and
Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences,
University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, UK
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Thumtecho S, Wainipitapong S, Chunamchai S, Suteparuk S. Alprazolam and lorazepam overdose and the absence of brainstem reflexes. BMJ Case Rep 2022; 15:e248796. [PMID: 35537772 PMCID: PMC9092135 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-248796] [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] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Benzodiazepines (BZDs) rarely cause respiratory depression and death. On the other hand, high-dose BZDs may lead to profound sedation and diminished brainstem functions that mimic other structural brain lesions as described in our case: a 70-year-old unresponsive woman. She was hypothermic and had rapid shallow breathing. Her Glasgow Coma Scale score was E1V1M4, with pinpoint pupils and absent corneal, oculocephalic and oculovestibular reflexes. Other physical exams, laboratory testing and brain imaging were unremarkable. After two doses of 0.4 mg naloxone and intravenous thrombolytics were given, there were no significant responses, and the diagnosis remained a mystery. The cause of her unconsciousness was uncovered when her husband found empty bags of 80 tablets of alprazolam and lorazepam. Her consciousness and brainstem reflexes improved dramatically after 0.25 mg of intravenous flumazenil. The blood for BZDs concentration showed alprazolam 268 ng/mL (20-40 ng/mL), lorazepam 861 ng/mL (20-250 ng/mL) and their metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suthimon Thumtecho
- Division of Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sorawit Wainipitapong
- Department of Psychiatry and Center of Excellence in Transgender Health, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sedthapong Chunamchai
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Suchai Suteparuk
- Division of Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
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Feola A, Carfora A, Mascolo P, Petrella R, Della Pietra B, Campobasso CP. Alprazolam-associated death: suicide or unintentional overdose? AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2021.1892190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Feola
- Department of Experimental Medicine – Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Carfora
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Mascolo
- Department of Experimental Medicine – Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaella Petrella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Della Pietra
- Department of Experimental Medicine – Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Pietro Campobasso
- Department of Experimental Medicine – Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
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Schaffer AL, Buckley NA, Cairns R, Pearson S. Comparison of Prescribing Patterns Before and After Implementation of a National Policy to Reduce Inappropriate Alprazolam Prescribing in Australia. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e1911590. [PMID: 31532519 PMCID: PMC6751760 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.11590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Benzodiazepines have been a common target for policy interventions to curtail inappropriate use, with mixed results. To reduce alprazolam misuse, in February 2017, Australia delisted the 2-mg tablet strength from public subsidy, eliminated refills, and reduced the pack size from 50 tablets to 10 tablets. OBJECTIVE To describe changes in alprazolam dispensing, prescribing, and poisonings associated with the implementation of a new policy to reduce inappropriate prescription of alprazolam in Australia. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This interrupted time series analysis and cross-sectional study included data from a 10% sample of Australian people who received publicly subsidized dispensing claims and prescribing approvals for alprazolam from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2018, and all calls to a poison information service involving alprazolam from February 1, 2015, to October 31, 2018. Autoregressive error models were used to quantify changes over time and compare patterns of use before and after the intervention. Data analyses were conducted from November 2018 to May 2019. EXPOSURE Implementation of the policy change on February 1, 2017. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Monthly trends in alprazolam prescribing approvals and dispensings, quarterly trends in telephone calls involving alprazolam to a poison information service, and patterns of prescribing and dispensing before and after the intervention. RESULTS From 2015 to 2018, there were 71 481 alprazolam dispensings to 6772 people. After the intervention, overall dispensing decreased by 51.2% (95% CI, 50.5%-51.9%) and prescribing approvals increased by 17.5% (95% CI, 13.0%-22.2%). Overall, the proportion of dispensing of packs of 51 to 100 tablets increased from 5776 of 24 282 dispensings (23.8%) to 4888 of 10 676 dispensings (45.8%) (risk difference [RD], 22.0% [95% CI, 19.4%-24.6%]) and dispensing of packs of more than 100 tablets increased from 1029 of 24 282 dispensings (4.2%) to 1774 of 10 676 dispensings (16.6%) (RD, 12.4% [95% CI, 10.6%-14.2%]). Among people receiving their first alprazolam prescription, initiation with packs of 10 tablets or fewer increased from 16 of 1127 people (1.4%) before the intervention to 139 of 589 people (23.6%) after the intervention (RD, 22.2% [95% CI, 18.7%-25.7%]). Alprazolam treatment initiation with packs of more than 50 tablets also increased from 63 of 1127 people (5.6%) before the intervention to 144 of 589 people (24.4%) after the intervention (RD, 18.9% [95% CI, 15.1%-22.6%]). During 1 year before the intervention, patients received a median (interquartile range [IQR]) total of 250 (50-600) tablets and median (IQR) total combined tablet strength of 188 (50-550) mg. During 1 year after the intervention, people were dispensed less alprazolam, with a median (IQR) total of 200 (50-500) tablets and median (IQR) total combined tablet strength of 120 (30-360) mg. There was little change in poisoning calls involving alprazolam. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study found that after the policy intervention, subsidized alprazolam use decreased, but the increase in prescribing approvals placed additional burden on prescribers. Even after the intervention, most people who were dispensed alprazolam were still receiving treatment contrary to best-practice recommendations. Furthermore, the poison information center data suggested that people were still being dispensed the 2-mg tablet strength, presumably as nonsubsidized (ie, private) prescriptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L. Schaffer
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Rose Cairns
- School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- New South Wales Poisons Information Centre, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sallie Pearson
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Skov L, Holm KMD, Johansen SS, Linnet K. Postmortem Brain and Blood Reference Concentrations of Alprazolam, Bromazepam, Chlordiazepoxide, Diazepam, and their Metabolites and a Review of the Literature. J Anal Toxicol 2016; 40:529-36. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkw059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Ojanperä I, Kriikku P, Vuori E. Fatal toxicity index of medicinal drugs based on a comprehensive toxicology database. Int J Legal Med 2016; 130:1209-16. [PMID: 26987318 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-016-1358-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The fatal toxicity index (FTI) is the absolute number of fatal poisonings caused by a particular drug divided by its consumption figure. Consequently, it is a useful measure in evaluating toxicity of the drug and its relevance in fatal poisonings. In this study, we assessed the FTI of medicinal drugs in 3 years (2005, 2009, and 2013) in Finland. As the measure of drug consumption, we used the number of defined daily doses (DDD) per population in each year. There were 70 medicinal drugs in Finland for which the mean FTI expressed as the number of deaths per million DDD over the three study years was higher or equal to 0.1. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system was used for the classification of the active ingredients of medicinal drugs according to the organ or system which they act on. Of these 70 drugs, 55 drugs (78.6 %) acted on the nervous system (denoted by ATC code N), 11 (15.7 %) on the cardiovascular system (C), three (4.3 %) on the alimentary tract and metabolism (A), and one (1.4 %) on the musculoskeletal system (M). The nervous system drugs consisted of 20 psycholeptics, (ATC code N05), 20 psychoanaleptics (N06), eight analgesics (N02), six antiepileptics (N03), and one other nervous system drug (N07). The highest individual FTIs were associated with the opioids methadone, dextropropoxyphene, oxycodone, tramadol, and morphine; the antipsychotics levomepromazine and chlorprothixene; and the antidepressants doxepin, amitriptyline, trimipramine, and bupropion. Buprenorphine was not included in the study, because most of the fatal buprenorphine poisonings were due to smuggled tablets. A clearly increasing trend in FTI was observed with pregabalin and possibly with bupropion, both drugs emerging as abused substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilkka Ojanperä
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, PO Box 40, Kytösuontie 11, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pirkko Kriikku
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, PO Box 40, Kytösuontie 11, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Erkki Vuori
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, PO Box 40, Kytösuontie 11, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
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Sridhar A, Johnston AJ, Varathan L, McLain SE, Biggin PC. The solvation structure of alprazolam. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:22416-25. [DOI: 10.1039/c6cp02645a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine that is commonly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and other related disorders.
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De Marco Centeno P, Baig M, Lee SEM, Lane CJ, Lagomasino IT. Disclosure of Use and Abuse of Controlled Substances Among Psychiatric Outpatients. J Psychiatr Pract 2015; 21:412-8. [PMID: 26554323 DOI: 10.1097/pra.0000000000000104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prescription drug abuse is a serious health concern and is considered a nationwide epidemic. Patients often fail or refuse to disclose the use of controlled substances, leaving prescribers and pharmacies unaware of the potential for harmful drug interactions and risk of overdose. Psychiatric patients are especially vulnerable to controlled substance misuse. OBJECTIVES To determine hazardous patterns of prescription drug use among psychiatric outpatients and to raise awareness about the importance of reviewing information provided by prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs). METHODS The medical records of 150 patients attending the Adult Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic at the Los Angeles County+University of Southern California (LAC+USC) Medical Center from July 2012 through May 2013 were reviewed. Patient activity reports were generated from California's PDMP. Nondisclosure of controlled substance use was identified by a discrepancy between patient reporting of prescriptions according to the medical records and PDMP reports. A "pattern suggestive of prescription drug abuse" was defined as having one or more of the following: within-class prescriptions from multiple providers and/or within-class early refills or within-class overlapping prescriptions picked up within 10 days of each other. RESULTS Of the 150 patients, 113 were found in California's PDMP database. Of these 113 patients, 81 had obtained 111 prescriptions for controlled substances in the past 12 months. Of these 111 prescriptions, 52 (47%) were not disclosed to the primary psychiatrist, of which 14 (27%) revealed patterns consistent with prescription drug abuse. CONCLUSIONS Reviewing PDMP databases before prescribing controlled substances should be considered a standard prescribing practice to prevent abuse, diversion, and adverse medical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia De Marco Centeno
- DE MARCO CENTENO, BAIG, and LAGOMASINO: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA LEE: Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA LANE: Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of Biostatistics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
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Abstract
Doctor shopping is a primary method of prescription medication diversion. After opioids, benzodiazepines and stimulants are the next most common prescription medications used nonmedically. Studies have shown that patients who engage in doctor shopping find it fun, exciting, and easy to do. There is a lack of research on the prescriber's perspective on the phenomenon of doctor shopping. This study investigates the experiences of prescribers in psychiatry with patients who engage in doctor shopping. Fifteen prescribers including psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners working in outpatient psychiatry were interviewed to elicit detailed information about their experiences with patients who engage in doctor shopping. Themes found throughout the interview were that psychiatric prescribers' experience with patients who engage in doctor shopping includes (a) detecting red flags, (b) negative emotional responding, (c) addressing the patient and the problem, and (d) inconsistently implementing precautions. When red flags were detected when prescribing controlled drugs, prescribers in psychiatry experienced both their own negative emotional responses such as disappointment and resentment as well as the negative emotions of the patients such as anger and other extreme emotional responses. Psychiatric prescribers responded to patient's doctor shopping in a variety of ways such as changing their practice, discharging the patients or taking steps to not accept certain patients identified as being at risk for doctor shopping, as well as by talking to the patient and trying to offer them help. Despite experiencing doctor shopping, the prescribers inconsistently implemented precautionary measures such as checking prescription drug monitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Worley
- Julie Worley, PhD, FNP, PMHNP, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mary Johnson
- Mary Johnson, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Circumstances and toxicology of sudden or unnatural deaths involving alprazolam. Drug Alcohol Depend 2014; 138:61-6. [PMID: 24629629 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been a great deal of clinical concern regarding alprazolam abuse. This paper reported on alprazolam positive cases of sudden or unnatural deaths presenting to the New South Wales Department of Forensic Medicine (DOFM), 1/1/1997-31/12/2012. METHODS Case series. RESULTS 412 cases were identified. There was a large increase in the annual number of cases, from 3 in 1997 to 86 in 2012. By 2012, 4.5% of all DOFM case presentations involved alprazolam. The mean age was 41.3 years, and 66.5% were male. Circumstances of death were: accidental drug toxicity (57.0%), deliberate drug toxicity (10.4%), suicide by means other than drug overdose (12.6%), disease (10.0%), accident (5.1%), homicide (2.4%). The major factor driving the increase in cases was accidental drug toxicity involving alprazolam, rising from 0 in 1997 to 58 in 2012. A history of drug/alcohol problems was noted in 80.4%, and 56.6% were injecting drug users. The median alprazolam concentration was 0.08 mg/L (range 0.005-2.10mg/L), with 37.4% of cases having concentrations of ≥ 0.1 mg/L. In 94.9% of cases, drugs other than alprazolam and its metabolites were present, including all accidental overdoses. The most commonly detected drugs were opioids (64.6%), other benzodiazepines (44.4%) and alcohol (34.5%). A third (31.8%) of cases were HCV positive. CONCLUSIONS Cases involving alprazolam increased markedly, driven mostly by toxicity deaths amongst people with known drug and alcohol problems. Caution in prescribing alprazolam would appear appropriate, particularly to those with known drug dependence.
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