[Thirty years of nefopam abuse in France].

Aim Of The Study: The use of nefopam is constantly increasing in France. The objectives of this study were to quantify the intensity of the drug dependence signal, to identify the populations at risk and the risk factors of dependence.

Methods: All serious and non-serious cases of misuse, abuse, drug dependence, overdose and withdrawal syndrome reported to the French Addictovigilance Network since 1988 were reviewed.

Identification and tracking of Addictovigilance signals in general practice: which interactions between the general practitioners and the French Addictovigilance Network?

Addictovigilance is a health vigilance dedicated to the survey of medicinal or illicit psychoactive substance use disorders (SUDs). France is the only European country to have a vigilance system specifically dedicated to substances with an abuse/addiction potential. The French Addictovigilance system is organized in a network of regional tertiary centres (called Abuse and Dependence Monitoring Centres, CEIP-Addictovigilance) and works in close collaboration with Regional and National health authorities.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: Review of the literature and of cases reported to the French addictovigilance network.

Background: Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a variant of cyclical vomiting syndrome in a context of chronic cannabis usage. Our aim was to compare French cases to those identified in the international literature in order to further our knowledge of the clinical criteria, pathophysiology and treatments for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.

Methods: We analysed cases reported in the international literature up to 30 June 2017, obtained from the MEDLINE, PsycINFO and The Cochrane Library databases; we selected relevant articles based on title and abstract.

[Uro- and nephrotoxic effects of drugs of abuse: Literature review and pharmaco-epidemiological survey in France and in the Marseille area].

A great diversification of drugs of abuse has been observed in recent years, both in the populations using them and in the types of drugs. Although dependency and psychiatric disorders associated with the abuse of these substances is well known, somatic complications, uro-nephrotoxicity in particular, are less recognized. We propose here an overview of the products used by drugs abusers in France, through the analysis of the national pharmaco-epidemiological study Observation des produits psychotropes illicites ou détournés de leur utilisation médicamenteuse (OPPIDUM).

[The current aspects of the use of ecstasy/MDMA in France].

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), the active compound of ecstasy, has been used for several years, especially by young adults to benefit of psychostimulant properties. By raising the level of neuromodulators in the synapsis, MDMA can cause psychiatric and physical injuries. After reduced supplies in 2009 (number of ecstasy seizures equal to 10 percent of those recorded in 2002), judicial authorities now observed an increased availability (a half more part of seizures in 2012 than 2010).

Illicit drugs or medicines taken by parachuting.

Parachuting (also called bombing) is a method of drug delivery where illicit drugs or medicines are ingested after wrapping the substance. There are little data describing parachuting in the literature. To provide a description of this practice, all cases of parachuting reported to the national addictovigilance network up to 31 December 2014 were identified from spontaneous reports and specific surveillance programs.

[Severe distal ischemic syndrome after buprenorphine volunteer intra-arterial injection].

High dosage buprenorphine (HDB) is a sublingual maintenance treatment of opioid dependence which have proved its substantial Public Health results, but it is also known to be frequently abused and diverted, in particular for intravenous injection, with deleterious consequences. Intra-arterial use is more rarely reported with this substance, just like its complications, mainly ischemic, potentially necrotic, phenomena. We report here such a case, with a 30 years-old man suffering from severe ischemia of the thumb, the forefinger and the middle finger few hours after direct injection of a suspension of buprenorphine crushed tablets in right radial arteria.

Cannabis body packing: two case reports.

Introduction: Body packing is a well-known means of narcotic carriage across international borders. The most common drugs carried are cocaine and heroin.

Case Descriptions: We describe 2 cases of cannabis body packing which occurred the same year in the South of France, one with complications: a 45-year-old male went to emergency for abdominal pain.

[Accidental cannabis poisoning in children: experience of the Marseille poison center].

Objective: To assess the frequency and severity of accidental cannabis poisoning in children.

Methods: A retrospective study of cases of accidental cannabis poisoning in people aged under 18 years old, reported to the Marseille poison center from 1993 through 2007. We excluded cases where cannabis was definitively ruled out, and neonatal withdrawal syndromes in newborns from cannabis users.

[Abuse of licit and illicit psychoactive substances in children and teenagers in the PACA Region (Southeastern France)].

Introduction: The abuse of licit and illicit psychoactive substances in children and teenagers represents a public health problem.

Materials And Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of this phenomenon and its growth in the PACA (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) region (Southeastern France). The cases identified during the 10-year period 1992-2002 by the CEIP (Centre d'Evaluation et d'Information sur la Pharmacodépendance) were studied retrospectively.

[Ma Huang, from dietary supplement to abuse].

Dietary supplements containing Ma Huang (chinease ephedra) are available on the web sites and dietary shops in USA. They are widely promoted and used as a mean of weight reduction and energy enhancement. They contain Ma Huang alone or combined with Guarana (caffeine), creatine, St John's wort, carnitine and are proposed with different labels.

[Ketamine--dreams and realities].

Ketamine is an anaesthetic used in human medicine and veterinary practice, synthesised on 1962 and marketed on 1970 in France. Recreational uses were described during 1992 in the medical community and in 1996 in the dance settings. The chemical name of ketamine is 2--(2chlorophenyl)2-(methylamine)-cyclohexanone, an aryl cyclohexylamine, structurally related to phencyclidine.

[Doping in sports. Cases reported to the Poison Control Center of Marseille from 1992 to 2000].

Objective: To study the doping substances used in sport and their toxicity.

Methods: Retrospective analysis from January 1992 to December 2000 of the cases of use of doping substances in sport reported by telephone to the anti-poison center in Marseilles.

Results: Fifty-one cases were reported concerning 48 men and 3 women with a mean age of 30, ranging from 10 to 55 years.

Ma Huang, du complement alimentaire a l'abus.

Dietary supplements containing Ma Huang (chinease ephedra) are available on the web sites and dietary shops in USA. They are widely promoted and used as a mean of weight reduction and energy enhancement. They contain Ma Huang alone or combined with Guarana (caffeine), creatine, St Jonh's wort, carnitine and are proposed with different labels.

Ketamine - reves et realites.

Ketamine is an anaesthetic used in human medicine and veterinary practice, synthesised on 1962 and marketed on 1970 in France. Recreational uses were described during 1992 in the medical communauty and in 1996 in the dance settings. The chemical name of ketamine is 2 - (2chlorophenyl) 2-(methylamine)-cyclohexanone, an aryl cyclohexylamine, structurally related to phencyclidine.