EPA-0298 – Pregabalin abuse among opiate addicted patients - 01/08/14
Résumé |
Introduction |
Pregabalin is a novel GABA-analogue approved for the treatment of partial onset seizures, neuropathic pain, and general anxiety disorder. Pregabalin has been classified as a Schedule V drug with a low risk of inflicting abuse or addiction. However, some publications have indicated that pregabalin may have a potential for abuse among patients with past or current opiate addiction.
Aims |
We hypothesized that pregabalin might be abused my patients who were undergoing an opiate replacement therapy and never had an indication for taking pregabalin on medical grounds.
Methods |
Urine specimens from 124 patients with opiate dependency syndrome and from 111 patients with other addiction disorders (alcohol, benzodiazepines, cannabis, amphetamines) were screened for pregabalin by means of a mass spectrometer analysis.
Results |
We found 12.1% of all urine specimens from patients with opiate addiction to be positive for pregabalin. None of the patients concerned had a medical indication for using pregabalin. In the control group, 2.7% of the patients were tested positively for pregabalin, due to their taking it regularly for chronic pain or general anxiety.
Conclusions |
Our data suggest that pregabalin is liable to be abused among patients with opiate dependency syndrome. Thus, vigilance and caution are called for when patients with a past or current opiate dependency are exposed to treatment with pregabalin.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Vol 29 - N° S1
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