Abstract
Background. Nonmedical prescription drug use (NMPDU) is an increasing problem, insufficiently studied among people in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT). This study investigates the prevalence of and factors associated with NMPDU for drug classes insufficiently described in opioid-dependent populations, including antihistaminergic anxiolytics and central stimulants. Methods. Study participants were recruited at two OMT clinics in Malmo, Sweden, between October 2014 and December 2015 (N = 73) and interviewed about their use, motivations for use, and acquisition and administration of prescription drugs. Results. The majority of the sample reported lifetime NMPDU: 60% for benzodiazepine-like hypnotics (z-drugs), 21% for pregabalin, 19% for stimulants, and 12%–15% for antihistaminergic anxiolytics. Lower age was associated with nonmedical benzodiazepine use (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 0.89; 95% Confidence Interval = 0.82–0.97). Illicit acquisition was reported by 61% of people using z-drugs, 46% of people using pregabalin, and 38% of people using prescription stimulants, but only by 6–10% of people using antihistaminergic anxiolytics. Conclusions. The substantial nonmedical use of pregabalin, z-drugs, and prescription stimulants found in this study suggests that clinicians should prescribe these drugs with great caution. Nonmedical use of antihistaminergic anxiolytics does not seem to be a clinical issue among people in OMT in a Swedish setting, but we propose future studies to monitor their use.
Highlights
Nonmedical use of prescription drugs is a growing problem in many countries [1,2,3]
Previous research has shown that nonmedical use of benzodiazepines is common among persons with opioid dependence, including both people who use illicit drugs and patients in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) with methadone or buprenorphine [4,5,6,7,8,9]
The aim of the current study was to describe the prevalence of use and nonmedical use, correlates of nonmedical use, motivations for use, and acquisition and administration of prescription drugs for drug classes insufficiently described in opioid-dependent populations, including antihistaminergic and other anxiolytics and central stimulants
Summary
Nonmedical use of prescription drugs is a growing problem in many countries [1,2,3]. Previous research has shown that nonmedical use (use without a doctor’s prescription, or in higher doses, more frequently, for longer duration or with another purpose than prescribed) of benzodiazepines is common among persons with opioid dependence, including both people who use illicit drugs and patients in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) with methadone or buprenorphine [4,5,6,7,8,9]. Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants is described in studies from the US [11,12,13] but is sparsely examined in non-US settings and among OMT patients [14]. Nonmedical prescription drug use (NMPDU) is an increasing problem, insufficiently studied among people in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT). This study investigates the prevalence of and factors associated with NMPDU for drug classes insufficiently described in opioid-dependent populations, including antihistaminergic anxiolytics and central stimulants. Nonmedical use of antihistaminergic anxiolytics does not seem to be a clinical issue among people in OMT in a Swedish setting, but we propose future studies to monitor their use
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
