Document Detail


Relative abuse potential of opioid formulations in Canada: a structured field study.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17319483     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
INTRODUCTION: While prescription opioids can improve quality of life through pain relief they are susceptible to misuse. This field study characterizes the relative susceptibility and attractiveness of a new analgesic patch, with fentanyl embedded in a matrix material, compared to other opioid dose formulations.
METHODS: Recreational opioid abusers (N = 42; 31 male, 1 female)from three Canadian sites participated in structured interviews. They were presented with nine products, some of which were hypothetical (fentanyl [F], hydromorphone [H], and oxycodone [O] in each of three formulations: matrix patch [M], reservoir-type gel patch [G], and tablet [T]). The attractiveness and tampering potential of each product was ranked using two 7-point Likert scales (Value of Product and Likelihood to Tamper), an index representing the product of the two scales, a 17-item Opiate Attractiveness Scale (OAS), relative street value, and rank order of overall desirability. Non-parametric analyses were used to compare each product to the FM.
RESULTS: The FT, HT, and FM were highly valued and most likely to be tampered with. The products were ranked in decreasing order of desirability as follows: FT > HT > FM > FG > OT > HM > HG > OM > OG. On the OAS, FM was more attractive than all gel-patch products (p < 0.001), and OT was most attractive overall. FM was statistically similar to OT, FT, OM, and HT. Of the 42 subjects, 25 (60 percent) preferred the matrix patch to the gel patch. Of the 17 subjects who preferred the gel patch, 10 (59 percent) were from a region generally unfamiliar with that formulation.
CONCLUSIONS: Fentanyl is attractive to opioid abusers regardless of formulation. In Canada, a fentanyl matrix patch may be at higher risk for diversion, tampering, and abuse than other transdermal opioid formulations. These findings should be confirmed by epidemiological studies. Comparative risk management programs should be part of the development of any new narcotic delivery system.
Authors:
Edward M Sellers; Reinhard Schuller; Myroslava K Romach; G L A Horbay
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Multicenter Study; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of opioid management     Volume:  2     ISSN:  1551-7489     ISO Abbreviation:  J Opioid Manag     Publication Date:    2006 Jul-Aug
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-02-26     Completed Date:  2007-03-14     Revised Date:  2012-07-13    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101234523     Medline TA:  J Opioid Manag     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  219-27     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Ventana Clinical Research Corporation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage*,  adverse effects
Canada
Dosage Forms
Drug Delivery Systems
Female
Gels
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Middle Aged
Substance-Related Disorders / psychology*
Tablets
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Analgesics, Opioid; 0/Dosage Forms; 0/Gels; 0/Tablets

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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