Clinical and pathologic characteristics of intranasal abuse of combined opioid-acetaminophen medications

Intranasal Acetaminophen Abuse and Nasal, Pharyngeal, and Laryngotracheal Damage

A young adult female originally presented with necrosis of the nasal cavity mucosa and septum after sniffing crushed acetaminophen. She underwent endoscopic sinus surgery and debridement but continued to use acetaminophen intranasally. Four months later, the destruction had extended to include the posterior pharyngeal wall and subglottis. The diagnosis was confirmed by polarizable talc found on biopsy of the subglottis. While nasal insufflation of cocaine and hydrocodone-acetaminophen has been well-documented, intranasal abuse of exclusively acetaminophen is not well understood. This case demonstrates the destructive potential of intranasal acetaminophen use and may help physicians recognize unusual signs and symptoms of intranasal drug abuse.

An insight into paracetamol and its metabolites using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation

Paracetamol is a relatively safe analgesia/antipyretic drug without the risks of addiction, dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal when used alone. However, when administrated in an opioid/paracetamol combination product, which often contains a large quantity of paracetamol, it can be potentially dangerous due to the risk of hepatotoxicity. Paracetamol is known to be metabolized into N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-arachidonamide (AM404) via fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and into N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) via cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. However, the underlying mechanism of paracetamol is still unclear. In addition, paracetamol has the potential to interact with other drugs that are also involved with CYP family enzymes (inducer/inhibitor/substrate), an example being illicit drugs. In our present work, we looked into the relationship between paracetamol and its metabolites (AM404 and NAPQI) using molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We first carried out a series of molecular docking studies between paracetamol/AM404/NAQPI and their reported targets, including CYP 2E1, FAAH, TRPA1, CB1, and TRPV1. Subsequently, we performed MD simulations and energy decomposition for CB1-AM404, TRPV1-AM404, and TRPV1-NAPQI for further investigation of the dynamics interactions. Finally, we summarized and discussed the reported drug-drug interactions between paracetamol and central nervous system drugs, especially illicit drugs. Overall, we are able to provide new insights into the structural and functional roles of paracetamol and its metabolites that can inform the potential prevention and treatment of paracetamol overdose. Graphical abstract Paracetamol and its metabolites.

Relative Bioavailability, Intranasal Abuse Potential, and Safety of Benzhydrocodone/Acetaminophen Compared with Hydrocodone Bitartrate/Acetaminophen in Recreational Drug Abusers

Objectives

Benzhydrocodone is a hydrocodone prodrug that has been combined with acetaminophen (APAP) in a novel immediate-release analgesic. This study evaluated the relative bioavailability, intranasal abuse potential, and safety of benzhydrocodone/APAP compared with commercially available hydrocodone bitartrate (HB)/APAP.

Design

Single-center, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, two-part study comprising a Dose Selection (Part A) phase and a Main Study (Part B) phase.

Setting

Clinical research site.

Subjects

Healthy adult, nondependent, recreational opioid users with a history of intranasal abuse.

Methods

Subjects (N = 42) in Part B received five in-clinic treatments consisting of intranasal and oral benzhydrocodone/APAP (13.34/650 mg), intranasal and oral hydrocodone/APAP (15/650 mg), and placebo, with four or more days of washout between treatments. Pharmacodynamic assessments included subjective effects of Drug Liking, Overall Drug Liking, and Take Drug Again (assessed on visual analog scale [VAS]), as well as nasal irritation. Pharmacokinetics and safety were also assessed.

Results

Hydrocodone C_max was 11% lower for intranasal benzhydrocodone/APAP vs intranasal HB/APAP (P = 0.0027). Early cumulative hydrocodone exposures for intranasal benzhydrocodone/APAP through 0.5, 1, and 2 hours were reduced by approximately 50%, 29%, and 15%, respectively (P ≤ 0.0024). Correspondingly, Drug Liking VAS values up to two hours postdose were significantly lower for intranasal benzhydrocodone/APAP vs intranasal HB/APAP (P ≤ 0.0079), although peak Drug Liking VAS (E_max) scores were not different (P = 0.2814). Adverse nasal effects were more frequent for intranasal benzhydrocodone/APAP vs intranasal HB/APAP.

Conclusions

Reduced hydrocodone exposure and drug liking at early time intervals, coupled with adverse nasal effects, can be expected to provide a level of deterrence to the intranasal route of abuse for benzhydrocodone/APAP.

Intranasal tissue necrosis associated with opioid abuse: Case report and systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Opioid abuse is a common disorder affecting over 2 million Americans. Intranasal tissue necrosis is a previously described sequela of nasal opioid inhalation, with a similar presentation to invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (IFRS). The goal of this case report and systematic review is to evaluate the evidence supporting this uncommon disease, with qualitative analysis of the presentation, management and treatment outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science.

REVIEW METHODS

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines were utilized to identify English-language studies reporting intranasal mucosal injury associated with prescription opioid abuse. Primary outcomes included clinical presentation, treatment strategies, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Systematic review identified 61 patients for qualitative analysis. Common clinical features include facial pain without a history of chronic sinusitis or known immunodeficiency. Diagnostic nasal endoscopy revealed superficial debris with underlying tissue necrosis, consistent with a preliminary diagnosis of IFRS. Characteristic pathologic findings include mucosal ulceration with an overlying acellular substrate, often with polarizable material. Fungal colonization is often reported, with several accounts of angiocentric invasion in immunocompetent patients. Complete symptom resolution is expected following surgical debridement with cessation of intranasal opioid inhalation, with 89% of identified patients experiencing a complete resolution of disease.

CONCLUSION

Intranasal opioid abuse is a prevalent condition associated with chronic pain and tissue necrosis that is clinically concerning for invasive fungal disease. Whereas IFRS must be excluded, even in patients without known immunodeficiency, complete resolution of symptoms can be expected following surgical debridement with cessation of opioid abuse. Laryngoscope, 1767-1771, 2018.

Increases in prescription opioid injection abuse among treatment admissions in the United States, 2004-2013

BACKGROUND

The 2015 HIV outbreak in Indiana associated with prescription opioid injection coupled with rising rates of hepatitis C, especially in areas with long-standing opioid abuse, have raised concerns about prescription opioid injection. However, research on this topic is limited. We assessed trends in treatment admissions reporting injection, smoking, and inhalation abuse of prescription opioids and examined characteristics associated with non-oral routes of prescription opioid abuse in the U.S.

METHODS

Prescription opioid abuse treatment admissions in the 2004-2013 Treatment Episode Data Set were used to calculate counts and percentages of prescription opioid treatment admissions reporting oral, injection, or smoking/inhalation abuse overall, by sex, age, and race/ethnicity. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression was used to identify demographic and substance use characteristics associated with injection or smoking/inhalation abuse.

RESULTS

From 2004-2013, oral abuse decreased from 73.1% to 58.9%; injection abuse increased from 11.7% to 18.1%; and smoking/inhalation abuse increased from 15.3% of admissions to 23.0%. Among treatment admissions, the following were associated with injection abuse: male sex, 18-54 year-olds, non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic other, homeless or dependent living, less than full-time work, living in the Midwest or South, ≥1 prior treatment episodes, younger age of first opioid use, and reporting use of cocaine/crack, marijuana, heroin, or methamphetamine.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of treatment admissions reporting prescription opioid injection and smoking/inhalation abuse increased significantly in the U.S. between 2004 and 2013. Expanding prevention efforts as well as access to medication-assisted treatment and risk reduction services for people who inject drugs is urgently needed.

Otolaryngology Concerns for Illicit and Prescription Drug Use

Concern for illicit and restricted drug use in otolaryngology is similar to other surgical specialties with a few notable exceptions. Many illicit drugs are consumed transnasally. Repeated nasal exposure to stimulants or narcotics can cause local tissue destruction that can present as chronic rhinosinusitis or nasoseptal perforation. Further, the Food and Drug Administration has taken a stance against codeine for pediatric patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy. They have identified an increased risk of death postoperatively with these medications. Because codeine has been the most commonly prescribed narcotic, this has shifted the standard practice.