The Misuse of Benzodiazepines Among High-Risk Opioid Users in Europe
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Understanding Benzodiazephine Use, Abuse, and Detection
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, the leading clinical diagnostics company, is committed to providing clinicians with the vital information they need for the accurate diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients. Our comprehensive portfolio of performance-driven systems, unmatched menu offering and IT solutions, in conjunction with highly responsive service, is designed to streamline workflow, enhance operational efficiency and support improved patient care. Syva, EMIT, EMIT II, EMIT d.a.u., and all associated marks are trademarks of General Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. All Drugs other trademarks and brands are the Global Division property of their respective owners. of Abuse Siemens Healthcare Product availability may vary from Diagnostics Inc. country to country and is subject 1717 Deerfield Road to varying regulatory requirements. Deerfield, IL 60015-0778 Please contact your local USA representative for availability. www.siemens.com/diagnostics Siemens Global Headquarters Global Siemens Healthcare Headquarters Siemens AG Understanding Wittelsbacherplatz 2 Siemens AG 80333 Muenchen Healthcare Sector Germany Henkestrasse 127 Benzodiazephine Use, 91052 Erlangen Germany Abuse, and Detection Telephone: +49 9131 84 - 0 www.siemens.com/healthcare www.usa.siemens.com/diagnostics Answers for life. Order No. A91DX-0701526-UC1-4A00 | Printed in USA | © 2009 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Syva has been R1 R2 a leading developer N and manufacturer of AB R3 X N drugs-of-abuse tests R4 for more than 30 years. R2 C Now part of Siemens Healthcare ® Diagnostics, Syva boasts a long and Benzodiazepines have as their basic chemical structure successful track record in drugs-of-abuse a benzene ring fused to a seven-membered diazepine ring. testing, and leads the industry in the All important benzodiazepines contain a 5-aryl substituent ring (ring C) and a 1,4–diazepine ring. -
Table 6.12: Deaths from Poisoning, by Sex and Cause, Scotland, 2016
Table 6.12: Deaths from poisoning, by sex and cause, Scotland, 2016 ICD code(s), cause of death and substance(s) 1 Both Males Females ALL DEATHS FROM POISONING 2 1130 766 364 ACCIDENTS 850 607 243 X40 - X49 Accidental poisoning by and exposure to … X40 - Nonopioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics Paracetamol 2 1 1 Paracetamol, Cocaine, Amphetamine || 1 0 1 X41 - Antiepileptic, sedative-hypnotic, antiparkinsonism and psychotropic drugs, not elsewhere classified Alprazolam, MDMA, Cocaine || Cannabis, Alcohol 1 1 0 Alprazolam, Methadone || Pregabalin, Tramadol, Gabapentin, Cannabis 1 1 0 Alprazolam, Morphine, Heroin, Dihydrocodeine, Buprenorphine || Alcohol 1 1 0 Alprazolam, Oxycodone, Alcohol || Paracetamol 1 0 1 Amitriptyline, Cocaine, Etizolam || Paracetamol, Codeine, Hydrocodone, Alcohol 1 1 0 Amitriptyline, Dihydrocodeine || Diazepam, Paracetamol, Verapamil, Alcohol 1 1 0 Amitriptyline, Fluoxetine, Alcohol 1 0 1 Amitriptyline, Methadone, Diazepam || 1 1 0 Amitriptyline, Methadone, Morphine, Etizolam || Gabapentin, Cannabis, Alcohol 1 1 0 Amitriptyline, Venlafaxine 1 0 1 Amphetamine 1 1 0 Amphetamine || 1 1 0 Amphetamine || Alcohol 1 1 0 Amphetamine || Chlorpromazine 1 1 0 Amphetamine || Fluoxetine 1 1 0 Amphetamine, Dihydrocodeine, Alcohol || Procyclidine, Tramadol, Duloxetine, Haloperidol 1 0 1 Amphetamine, MDMA || Diclazepam, Cannabis, Alcohol 1 1 0 Amphetamine, Methadone || 1 1 0 Amphetamine, Oxycodone, Gabapentin, Zopiclone, Diazepam || Paracetamol, Alcohol 1 0 1 Amphetamine, Tramadol || Mirtazapine, Alcohol 1 1 0 Benzodiazepine -
Benzodiazepine Group ELISA Kit
Benzodiazepine Group ELISA Kit Benzodiazepine Background Since their introduction in the 1960s, benzodiazepines have been widely prescribed for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, and seizure-prevention as they are depressants of the central nervous system. Despite the fact that they are highly effective for their intended use, benzodiazepines are prescribed with caution as they can be highly addictive. In fact, researchers at NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) have shown that addiction for benzodiazepines is similar to that of opioids, cannabinoids, and GHB. Common street names of benzodiazepines include “Benzos” and “Downers”. The five most encountered benzodiazepines on the illicit market are alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), and temazepam (Restori). The method of abuse is typically oral or snorted in crushed form. The DEA notes a particularly high rate of abuse among heroin and cocaine abusers. Designer benzodiazepines are currently offered in online shops selling “research chemicals”, providing drug abusers an alternative to prescription-only benzodiazepines. Data defining pharmacokinetic parameters, drug metabolisms, and detectability in biological fluids is limited. This lack of information presents a challenge to forensic laboratories. Changes in national narcotics laws in many countries led to the control of (phenazepam and etizolam), which were marketed by pharmaceutical companies in some countries. With the control of phenazepam and etizolam, clandestine laboratories have begun researching and manufacturing alternative benzodiazepines as legal substitutes. Delorazepam, diclazepam, pyrazolam, and flubromazepam have emerged as compounds in this class of drugs. References Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Diversion Control. “Benzodiazepines.” http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs_concern/benzo_1. -
Analytical Methods for Determination of Benzodiazepines. a Short Review
Cent. Eur. J. Chem. • 12(10) • 2014 • 994-1007 DOI: 10.2478/s11532-014-0551-1 Central European Journal of Chemistry Analytical methods for determination of benzodiazepines. A short review Review Article Paulina Szatkowska1, Marcin Koba1*, Piotr Kośliński1, Jacek Wandas1, Tomasz Bączek2,3 1Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, 85-089 Bydgoszcz, Poland 2Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland 3Institute of Health Sciences, Division of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Pomeranian University of Słupsk, 76-200 Słupsk, Poland Received 16 July 2013; Accepted 6 February 2014 Abstract: Benzodiazepines (BDZs) are generally commonly used as anxiolytic and/or hypnotic drugs as a ligand of the GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor. Moreover, some of benzodiazepines are widely used as an anti-depressive and sedative drugs, and also as anti-epileptic drugs and in some cases can be useful as an adjunct treatment in refractory epilepsies or anti-alcoholic therapy. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) methods, gas chromatography (GC) methods, capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods and some of spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric methods were developed and have been extensively applied to the analysis of number of benzodiazepine derivative drugs (BDZs) providing reliable and accurate results. The available chemical methods for the determination of BDZs in biological materials and pharmaceutical formulations are reviewed in this work. Keywords: Analytical methods • Benzodiazepines • Drugs analysis • Pharmaceutical formulations © Versita Sp. z o.o. 1. Introduction and long). For this reason, an application of these drugs became broader allowing their utility to a larger extent, Benzodiazepines have been first introduced into medical and at the same time, problems related to drug abuse practice in the 60s of the last century. -
Recommended Methods for the Identification and Analysis of Fentanyl and Its Analogues in Biological Specimens
Recommended methods for the Identification and Analysis of Fentanyl and its Analogues in Biological Specimens MANUAL FOR USE BY NATIONAL DRUG ANALYSIS LABORATORIES Laboratory and Scientific Section UNITED NATIONS OFFICE ON DRUGS AND CRIME Vienna Recommended Methods for the Identification and Analysis of Fentanyl and its Analogues in Biological Specimens MANUAL FOR USE BY NATIONAL DRUG ANALYSIS LABORATORIES UNITED NATIONS Vienna, 2017 Note Operating and experimental conditions are reproduced from the original reference materials, including unpublished methods, validated and used in selected national laboratories as per the list of references. A number of alternative conditions and substitution of named commercial products may provide comparable results in many cases. However, any modification has to be validated before it is integrated into laboratory routines. ST/NAR/53 Original language: English © United Nations, November 2017. All rights reserved. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Mention of names of firms and commercial products does not imply the endorse- ment of the United Nations. This publication has not been formally edited. Publishing production: English, Publishing and Library Section, United Nations Office at Vienna. Acknowledgements The Laboratory and Scientific Section of the UNODC (LSS, headed by Dr. Justice Tettey) wishes to express its appreciation and thanks to Dr. Barry Logan, Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, at the Fredric Rieders Family Founda- tion and NMS Labs, United States; Amanda L.A. -
WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence
WHO Technical Report Series 1034 This report presents the recommendations of the forty-third Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD). The ECDD is responsible for the assessment of psychoactive substances for possible scheduling under the International Drug Control Conventions. The ECDD reviews the therapeutic usefulness, the liability for abuse and dependence, and the public health and social harm of each substance. The ECDD advises the Director-General of WHO to reschedule or to amend the scheduling status of a substance. The Director-General will, as appropriate, communicate the recommendations to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who will in turn communicate the advice to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. This report summarizes the findings of the forty-third meeting at which the Committee reviewed 11 psychoactive substances: – 5-Methoxy-N,N-diallyltryptamine (5-MeO-DALT) WHO Expert Committee – 3-Fluorophenmetrazine (3-FPM) – 3-Methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP) on Drug Dependence – Diphenidine – 2-Methoxydiphenidine (2-MeO-DIPHENIDINE) Forty-third report – Isotonitazene – MDMB-4en-PINACA – CUMYL-PEGACLONE – Flubromazolam – Clonazolam – Diclazepam The report also contains the critical review documents that informed recommendations made by the ECDD regarding international control of those substances. The World Health Organization was established in 1948 as a specialized agency of the United Nations serving as the directing and coordinating authority for international health matters and public health. One of WHO’s constitutional functions is to provide objective, reliable information and advice in the field of human health, a responsibility that it fulfils in part through its extensive programme of publications. The Organization seeks through its publications to support national health strategies and address the most pressing public health concerns of populations around the world. -
Proposed Regulation of the State Board of Pharmacy
PROPOSED REGULATION OF THE STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY LCB File No. R150-16 Workshop September 8, 2016 Explanation – Language in blue italics is new; language in red text [omitted material] is language to be omitted, and language in green text indicates prior Board-approved amendments that are in the process of being codified. AUTHORITY: §1, NRS 639.070 A REGULATION relating to controlled substances; adding certain substances to the controlled substances listed in Schedule IV; and providing other matters properly relating thereto. Section 1. NAC 453.540 is hereby amended to read as follows: NAC 453.540 Schedule IV. 1. Schedule IV consists of the drugs and other substances listed in this section, by whatever official, common, usual, chemical or trade name designated. 2. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture or preparation containing any of the following narcotic drugs, including, without limitation, their salts, calculated as the free anhydrous base of alkaloid, is hereby enumerated on schedule IV, in quantities: (a) Not more than 1 milligram of difenoxin and not less than 25 micrograms of atropine sulfate per dosage unit; or (b) Dextropropoxyphene (alpha-(+)-4-dimethylamino-1,2-diphenyl-3-methyl-2-propionoxy- butane). 3. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances, including, without limitation, their salts, isomers and salts of isomers, is hereby enumerated -
124.210 Schedule IV — Substances Included. 1
1 CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, §124.210 124.210 Schedule IV — substances included. 1. Schedule IV shall consist of the drugs and other substances, by whatever official name, common or usual name, chemical name, or brand name designated, listed in this section. 2. Narcotic drugs. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing any of the following narcotic drugs, or their salts calculated as the free anhydrous base or alkaloid, in limited quantities as set forth below: a. Not more than one milligram of difenoxin and not less than twenty-five micrograms of atropine sulfate per dosage unit. b. Dextropropoxyphene (alpha-(+)-4-dimethylamino-1,2-diphenyl-3-methyl-2- propionoxybutane). c. 2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanol, its salts, optical and geometric isomers and salts of these isomers (including tramadol). 3. Depressants. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation: a. Alprazolam. b. Barbital. c. Bromazepam. d. Camazepam. e. Carisoprodol. f. Chloral betaine. g. Chloral hydrate. h. Chlordiazepoxide. i. Clobazam. j. Clonazepam. k. Clorazepate. l. Clotiazepam. m. Cloxazolam. n. Delorazepam. o. Diazepam. p. Dichloralphenazone. q. Estazolam. r. Ethchlorvynol. s. Ethinamate. t. Ethyl Loflazepate. u. Fludiazepam. v. Flunitrazepam. w. Flurazepam. x. Halazepam. y. Haloxazolam. z. Ketazolam. aa. Loprazolam. ab. Lorazepam. ac. Lormetazepam. ad. Mebutamate. ae. Medazepam. af. Meprobamate. ag. Methohexital. ah. Methylphenobarbital (mephobarbital). -
Table 6.12: Deaths from Poisoning, by Sex and Cause, Scotland, 2015
Table 6.12: Deaths from poisoning, by sex and cause, Scotland, 2015 ICD code(s), cause of death and substance(s) 1 Both Males Females ALL DEATHS FROM POISONING 2 941 632 309 ACCIDENTS 662 471 191 X40 - X49 Accidental poisoning by and exposure to … X40 - Nonopioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics Paracetamol 2 0 2 Paracetamol, Codeine || Diazepam, Amitriptyline, Mirtazapine, Dihydrocodeine, Cannabis, Alcohol 1 0 1 Paracetamol, Dihydrocodeine, Tramadol || 1 1 0 X41 - Antiepileptic, sedative-hypnotic, antiparkinsonism and psychotropic drugs, not elsewhere classified Amitriptyline || Tramadol, Diazepam 1 0 1 Amitriptyline || Venlafaxine, Dihydrocodeine 1 0 1 Amitriptyline, Alcohol 1 0 1 Amitriptyline, Alcohol || Fluoxetine 1 0 1 Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Gabapentin, Tramadol, Methadone 1 0 1 Amitriptyline, Gabapentin, Fluoxetine || Paracetamol, Diazepam, Tramadol, Cannabis 1 0 1 Amitriptyline, Oxycodone || Pregabalin 1 0 1 Amitriptyline, Zopiclone, Oxycodone, Venlafaxine, Pregabalin 1 0 1 Amphetamine || Diazepam 1 0 1 Amphetamine || Diazepam, Cannabis 1 0 1 Amphetamine || Diazepam, Paracetamol, Alcohol 1 1 0 Amphetamine || Dihydrocodeine, Alcohol 1 0 1 Amphetamine, Citalopram || Diazepam, Cannabis, Alcohol 1 0 1 Citalopram, Alcohol 2 1 1 Citalopram, Cyclizine || Temazepam 1 1 0 Diazepam, Alcohol || 2 2 0 Diazepam, Dihydrocodeine || Pregabalin, Venlafaxine, Quetiapine 1 1 0 Diazepam, Dihydrocodeine, Alcohol || 1 1 0 Diazepam, Methadone, Mirtazapine || 1 0 1 Dothiepin 1 0 1 Ecstasy, Cocaine, Alcohol 1 1 0 Ethylphenidate, Diazepam, -
Drugs of Abuse: Benzodiazepines
Drugs of Abuse: Benzodiazepines What are Benzodiazepines? Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants that produce sedation, induce sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and prevent seizures. What is their origin? Benzodiazepines are only legally available through prescription. Many abusers maintain their drug supply by getting prescriptions from several doctors, forging prescriptions, or buying them illicitly. Alprazolam and diazepam are the two most frequently encountered benzodiazepines on the illicit market. Benzodiazepines are What are common street names? depressants legally available Common street names include Benzos and Downers. through prescription. Abuse is associated with What do they look like? adolescents and young The most common benzodiazepines are the prescription drugs ® ® ® ® ® adults who take the drug Valium , Xanax , Halcion , Ativan , and Klonopin . Tolerance can orally or crush it up and develop, although at variable rates and to different degrees. short it to get high. Shorter-acting benzodiazepines used to manage insomnia include estazolam (ProSom®), flurazepam (Dalmane®), temazepam (Restoril®), Benzodiazepines slow down and triazolam (Halcion®). Midazolam (Versed®), a short-acting the central nervous system. benzodiazepine, is utilized for sedation, anxiety, and amnesia in critical Overdose effects include care settings and prior to anesthesia. It is available in the United States shallow respiration, clammy as an injectable preparation and as a syrup (primarily for pediatric skin, dilated pupils, weak patients). and rapid pulse, coma, and possible death. Benzodiazepines with a longer duration of action are utilized to treat insomnia in patients with daytime anxiety. These benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax®), chlordiazepoxide (Librium®), clorazepate (Tranxene®), diazepam (Valium®), halazepam (Paxipam®), lorzepam (Ativan®), oxazepam (Serax®), prazepam (Centrax®), and quazepam (Doral®). -
Flualprazolam Article Originally Appeared in TOXTALK®, Volume 43, Issue 4
Donna Papsun¹, MS, D-ABFT-FT, Craig Triebold², F-ABC, D-ABFT-FT Emerging Drug: ¹NMS Labs, Horsham, PA; ²Sacramento County District Attorney Laboratory of Forensic Services, Sacramento, CA Flualprazolam Article originally appeared in TOXTALK®, Volume 43, Issue 4 In recent years, there has been an increase of misuse related to designer benzodiazepines (DBZD), a subcategory of novel psychoactive substances (NPS). Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for their anxiolytic, muscle relaxant, sedative- hypnotic, and anticonvulsant properties, but due to their widespread availability and relatively low acute toxicity, there is a high potential for misuse and dependence. Therefore, in the era of analogs of commonly used substances emerging on the drug market as suitable alternatives, it is not unexpected that designer variants of benzodiazepines have become available and in demand. Compounds of this class may have either been repurposed from pharmaceutical research, chemically modified from prescribed benzodiazepines, or obtained from diversion of pharmaceuticals available in other countries. Flualprazolam, a fluorinated analog of alprazolam, is an emerging designer benzodiazepine with increasing prevalence, which is an example of a modification to a prescribed benzodiazepine. It was first patented in the 1970s but never marketed, so it has been repurposed for recreational abuse from pharmaceutical research as well (1). Its chemical characteristics and structure are listed in Figure 1. Flualprazolam is a high potency triazolo-benzodiazepine with sedative effects similar to other benzodiazepines (2). It is marketed by internet companies for “research purposes” as an alternative to alprazolam and discussions on online forums suggest that flualprazolam lasts longer and is stronger than alprazolam, its non-fluorinated counterpart (3). -
1 'New/Designer Benzodiazepines'
1 ‘New/Designer Benzodiazepines’: an analysis of the literature and psychonauts’ trip reports 2 Laura Orsolini*1,2,3, John M. Corkery1, Stefania Chiappini1, Amira Guirguis1, Alessandro Vento4,5,6,7, 3 Domenico De Berardis3,8,9, Duccio Papanti1, and Fabrizio Schifano1 4 5 1 Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical 6 Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, Herts, UK. 7 2 Neomesia Mental Health, Villa Jolanda Hospital, Jesi, Italy. 8 3 Polyedra, Teramo, Italy. 9 4 NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs), Sapienza University – Rome, School of 10 Medicine and Psychology; Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy 11 5 School of psychology - G. Marconi Telematic University, Rome, Italy 12 6 Addictions Observatory (ODDPSS), Rome, Italy 13 7 Mental Health Department - ASL Roma 2, Rome, Italy 14 8 Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, Chair of Psychiatry, University of “G. D’Annunzio”, Chieti, 15 Italy. 16 9 NHS, Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric Service of Diagnosis and Treatment, Hospital “G. Mazzini”, ASL 4 17 Teramo, Italy. 18 19 Corresponding author: 20 Laura Orsolini, Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life 21 and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, Herts, UK; Villa Jolanda Hospital, Neomesia 22 Mental Health, Villa Jolanda, Italy; Polyedra, Teramo, Italy; E-mail address: [email protected]. Tel.: (+39) 392 23 3244643. 24 25 Conflicts of Interest 26 The authors declare that this research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships 27 that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.