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

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

Trends in characteristics of fentanyl-related poisonings in the United States, 2015-2021.

Fentanyl-related deaths continue to increase in the United States; however, most national studies focus on fatal overdose. More research, including data on nonfatal overdose, is needed. We examined trends in characteristics of fatal and nonfatal fentanyl-related poisonings ("exposures") in the US.

Changes in Hydrocodone Misuse Exposures Reported to U.S. Poison Centers Following Rescheduling in 2014.

Background: In 2014, the Drug Enforcement Administration rescheduled hydrocodone combination products to Schedule II to reduce nonmedical use and diversion.

Methods: The impact of rescheduling was assessed using quarterly data from 2011 through 2019 from the Researched Abuse, Diversion and Addiction-Related Surveillance (RADARS) System Poison Center Program and IQVIA Longitudinal Prescription Data. Trends and immediate changes in prescriptions dispensed and misuse exposures before and after rescheduling involving hydrocodone, oxycodone, and other Schedule II opioid analgesics were calculated using segmented regression.

The association between the availability of over the counter codeine and the prevalence of non-medical use.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of non-medical use (NMU) of codeine in Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK and whether availability of OTC codeine has any association with NMU of the drug.

Methods: Data collected in the online Survey of Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs, in surveys launched in the second half of 2018 from (Germany (n = 14,969), Italy, (n = 9974), Spain (n = 9912) and the UK (n = 9819) were analysed. For each survey, the estimated prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) of respondents reporting NMU of prescription and/or OTC codeine within the last 12 months were calculated and compared.

Web-Based Discussion and Illicit Street Sales of Tapentadol and Oxycodone in Australia: Epidemiological Surveillance Study.

Background: Opioid use disorder and its consequences are a persistent public health concern for Australians. Web activity has been used to understand the perception of drug safety and diversion of drugs in contexts outside of Australia. The anonymity of the internet offers several advantages for surveilling and inquiring about specific covert behaviors, such as diversion or discussion of sensitive subjects where traditional surveillance approaches might be limited.

Measuring prescription opioid misuse and its consequences.

Aims: Prescription drug misuse in the USA increased during the 1990s to 2010. The epidemic stimulated the need new analytical strategies and techniques to understand the medications involved, user characteristics and other factors needed to address the epidemic.

Methods: A strategy of mosaic surveillance has evolved.

Association of Medical Stimulants With Mortality in the US From 2010 to 2017.

This cross-sectional study examines the association of medical stimulants with mortality in the US from 2010 to 2017.

Tramadol non-medical use in Four European countries: A comparative analysis.

Background: Understanding prescription medication misuse is challenging due to lack of consistent measures of misuse behaviors and prevalence between countries. Tramadol is an atypical opioid with a dual mechanism, and has low drug liking compared to conventional opioids. We evaluate tramadol misuse compared to conventional opioids utilizing a harmonized validated national survey across four countries: Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK).

Postmarketing Analysis of Misuse, Abuse, and Diversion of Xtampza ER.

Objective: To evaluate abuse, misuse, and diversion of Xtampza ER, an extended-release (ER) abuse-deterrent formulation (ADF) of oxycodone.

Methods: Abuse, misuse, and diversion of Xtampza ER were assessed using Researched Abuse, Diversion and Addiction-Related Surveillance (RADARS) System data sources. Xtampza ER was compared with immediate-release (IR) oxycodone, other ADF ER products combined, and non-ADF ER products combined.

Prevalence and description of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) use in the United States: a cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: Mitragyna speciosa ('kratom') contains mu opioid partial agonists. It is widely available, and occasionally used as a home remedy for opioid use disorder. The Drug Enforcement Agency considers kratom a drug of concern; however, prevalence of use and role in drug misuse are unknown.

Consistency Between Opioid-Related Mortality Trends Derived From Poison Center and National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2006-2016.

Objectives: To determine the association between poison center opioid exposure calls and National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) deaths.

Methods: We categorized Centers for Disease Control and Prevention NVSS mortality and the Researched Abuse, Diversion and Addiction-Related Surveillance System poison center program cases from 2006 to 2016 by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes (heroin [T40.1]; natural or semisynthetic opioids [T40.

Do abuse deterrent opioid formulations work?

Objective: We performed a systematic review to answer the question, "Does the introduction of an opioid analgesic with abuse deterrent properties result in reduced overall abuse of the drug in the community?"

Design: We included opioid analgesics with abuse deterrent properties (hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone) with results restricted to the metasearch term "delayed onset," English language, use in humans, and publication years 2009-2016. All articles that contained data evaluating misuse, abuse, overdose, addiction, and death were included. The results were categorized using the Bradford-Hill criteria.

Abuse and Diversion of Immediate Release Opioid Analgesics as Compared to Extended Release Formulations in the United States.

Background: Therapeutic use and abuse of prescription opioids in the United States increased substantially between 1990 and 2010. The Centers for Disease Control estimated deaths related to pharmaceutical opioids reached nearly 19,000 in 2014. Of prescription opioids sold, 10% are extended release (ER) and 90% immediate release (IR).

Cardiac sodium channel blockade after an intentional ingestion of lacosamide, cyclobenzaprine, and levetiracetam: Case report.

Context: Lacosamide treats partial seizures by enhancing slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels. The described cardiac toxicity of lacosamide in the literature to date includes atrioventricular blockade (PR prolongation), atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, sinus pauses, ventricular tachycardia and a single cardiac arrest. We report a second case of cardiac arrest following an intentional lacosamide overdose.

Reductions of phospholipase A(2) inhibition of pulmonary surfactant with hyaluronan.

In acute lung injuries, secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) inhibits surfactants by hydrolyzing phospholipids. Because hyaluronan (HA) reduces hydrolysis of phospholipids by sPLA(2), and because sPLA(2) inhibits surfactant in vitro, the authors hypothesized HA would reduce sPLA(2) inhibition. Surfactants were used alone or mixed with HA and/or sPLA(2) then tested for surface activity in 2 separate assays, or for sPLA(2) activity.