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Schifano F, Chiappini S, Miuli A, Mosca A, Santovito MC, Corkery JM, Guirguis A, Pettorruso M, Di Giannantonio M, Martinotti G. Focus on Over-the-Counter Drugs' Misuse: A Systematic Review on Antihistamines, Cough Medicines, and Decongestants. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:657397. [PMID: 34025478 PMCID: PMC8138162 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.657397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Over the past 20 years or so, the drug misuse scenario has seen the emergence of both prescription-only and over-the-counter (OTC) medications being reported as ingested for recreational purposes. OTC drugs such as antihistamines, cough/cold medications, and decongestants are reportedly the most popular in being diverted and misused. Objective: While the current related knowledge is limited, the aim here was to examine the published clinical data on OTC misuse, focusing on antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine, promethazine, chlorpheniramine, and dimenhydrinate), dextromethorphan (DXM)- and codeine-based cough medicines, and the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine. Methods: A systematic literature review was carried out with the help of Scopus, Web of Science databases, and the related gray literature. For data gathering purposes, both the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) and PROSPERO guidelines were followed (PROSPERO identification code CRD42020209261). Results: After completion of the selection, eligibility, and screening phases, some 92 articles were here taken into consideration; case reports, surveys, and retrospective case series analyses were included. Findings were organized according to the specific OTC recorded. Most articles focused here on DXM (n = 54) and diphenhydramine (n = 12). When specified, dosages, route(s) of administration, toxicity symptoms (including both physical and psychiatric ones), and outcomes were here reported. Conclusion: Results from the systematic review showed that the OTC misusing issues are both widespread worldwide and popular; vulnerable categories include adolescents and young adults, although real prevalence figures remain unknown, due to a lack of appropriate monitoring systems. Considering the potential, and at times serious, adverse effects associated with OTC misusing issues, healthcare professionals should be vigilant, and ad hoc preventative actions should be designed and implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Schifano
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Stefania Chiappini
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom.,Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Andrea Miuli
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Alessio Mosca
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Santovito
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy
| | - John M Corkery
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Amira Guirguis
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Sciences 2, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Mauro Pettorruso
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Massimo Di Giannantonio
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy
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Zaprutko T, Koligat D, Michalak M, Wieczorek M, Józiak M, Ratajczak M, Szydłowska K, Miazek J, Kus K, Nowakowska E. Misuse of OTC drugs in Poland. Health Policy 2016; 120:875-81. [PMID: 27344198 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2016.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The misuse of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs became a global public health concern. Although abuse with dextrometorphan (DXM), pseudoefedrine (PSD), codeine (COD) or benzydamine (BND) may lead even to psychosis, drugs containing these substances are relatively cheap and freely available. In Poland the Act on Counteracting Drug Addiction was amended in 2015, however it seems that there are still some points which could be improved. METHODS Study was conducted between October 2014 and June 2015 using a specially designed questionnaire delivered to pharmacists from the Greater Poland region. Questionnaire consisting of 11 closed questions was distributed by direct contact and via the Internet. From over 2500 distributed questionnaires, we received 761 sheets and 680 were included. RESULTS The misuse of OTC drugs is increasing in Poland from pharmacists point of view. The most popular substance was PSD followed by COD and DXM. The main reason of misuse of these drugs could be related to the use of Internet and free access to these medications. In respondents (58.2%) opinion OTC drugs containing analyzed substances should be moved into the prescription status. CONCLUSIONS The misuse of OTC drugs should be considered as a very dangerous phenomenon. Although the Act on Counteracting Drug Addiction was amended in Poland in 2015, there are some facets requiring improvement. Social education may play a key role in the limitation of misuse of OTC drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Zaprutko
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland.
| | - Dorota Koligat
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland
| | - Michał Michalak
- Department of Computer Sciences and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland
| | - Marta Wieczorek
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland
| | - Malwina Józiak
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland
| | - Monika Ratajczak
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland
| | - Kinga Szydłowska
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna Miazek
- Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kus
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Nowakowska
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland
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Richards JR, Albertson TE, Derlet RW, Lange RA, Olson KR, Horowitz BZ. Treatment of toxicity from amphetamines, related derivatives, and analogues: a systematic clinical review. Drug Alcohol Depend 2015; 150:1-13. [PMID: 25724076 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Revised: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overdose of amphetamine, related derivatives, and analogues (ARDA) continues to be a serious worldwide health problem. Patients frequently present to the hospital and require treatment for agitation, psychosis, and hyperadrenegic symptoms leading to pathologic sequelae and mortality. OBJECTIVE To review the pharmacologic treatment of agitation, psychosis, and the hyperadrenergic state resulting from ARDA toxicity. METHODS MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to September 2014. Articles on pharmacologic treatment of ARDA-induced agitation, psychosis, and hyperadrenergic symptoms were selected. Evidence was graded using Oxford CEBM. Treatment recommendations were compared to current ACCF/AHA guidelines. RESULTS The search resulted in 6082 articles with 81 eligible treatment involving 835 human subjects. There were 6 high-quality studies supporting the use of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines for control of agitation and psychosis. There were several case reports detailing the successful use of dexmedetomidine for this indication. There were 9 high-quality studies reporting the overall safety and efficacy of β-blockers for control of hypertension and tachycardia associated with ARDA. There were 3 high-quality studies of calcium channel blockers. There were 2 level I studies of α-blockers and a small number of case reports for nitric oxide-mediated vasodilators. CONCLUSIONS High-quality evidence for pharmacologic treatment of overdose from ARDA is limited but can help guide management of acute agitation, psychosis, tachycardia, and hypertension. The use of butyrophenone and later-generation antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and β-blockers is recommended based on existing evidence. Future randomized prospective trials are needed to evaluate new agents and further define treatment of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Richards
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, United States.
| | - Timothy E Albertson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Divisions of Toxicology, Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, United States; Northern California VA Medical System, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Robert W Derlet
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Richard A Lange
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Kent R Olson
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, California Poison Control System, San Francisco Division, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - B Zane Horowitz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Oregon Poison Center, Portland, OR, United States
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