Prevalence of Antipsychotic-Treated Patients in a Cohort of Adult Addicted Patients.

PURPOSE: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to describe and estimate the prevalence of antipsychotics (AP) in a cohort of addicted patients, and to compare the profiles of addictive patients receiving AP or not. METHODS: We included all adult patients seen at the addiction care center of Montpellier University Hospital, between January 1, 2015, and March 31, 2015. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data were collected from the patients' medical records. RESULTS: During the study period, 415 patients were included, with a mean age of 38 ± 10 years. They were mostly men (73.3%), French (54.9%), and unemployed (61.8%). Among the study population, 93 patients (patients treated with AP [trAP], 22.4%) were treated by 111 different AP, mainly cyamemazine (29.0% of treated patients), aripiprazole (20.4%), olanzapine (17.2%), and quetiapine (16.1%), mostly in monotherapy (80.6%) and by oral route (93.2% of AP). Psychiatric history was more frequent in trAP than in those without AP (untrAP) (55.9% vs 35.4% respectively; P < 0.001). Professional activity tended to be less frequent in patients with AP (25.3% vs 38.9%, P = 0.08).When compared with untrAP, trAP consumed more amphetamine (10.8% vs 4.4%; P = 0.02) and tended to consume less opiates (7.5% vs 14.9%; P = 0.06); the consumptions of cannabis (43.0% vs 35.7%; P = 0.20) and cocaine (22.6% vs 16.8%; P = 0.20) were not statistically different.Opiate maintenance therapy was reported in 63.7% of trAP and 68.4% of untrAP (P = 0.41): it consisted of methadone (trAP, 60.3% vs untrAP, 56.5%) and buprenorphine (trAP, 39.7% vs untrAP, 43.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The concomitant management of psychiatric and substance use disorders in the same center may explain the high prevalence of trAP in this study. Cannabis and psychostimulants may have been used in these patients as self-medication for mental disease-related symptoms or adverse effects of APs.

Three Complementary Approaches to Characterize Buprenorphine Misuse.

BACKGROUND: In France, buprenorphine has been available for opioid maintenance therapy since 1996 and since then its misuse has been continuously evaluated by the French health authorities. OBJECTIVES: To characterize buprenorphine misuse in Languedoc-Roussillon (LR) region, using three different approaches. METHODS: Three different data sources were analyzed : (i) spontaneous reports (NotS) of buprenorphine misuse or dependence, (ii) a specific periodic survey from specialized care centers (OPPIDUM) over 11 years (2002-2012) and (iii) a drug reimbursement database (DRB). RESULTS: A total of 209 spontaneous reports were collected. The main type of buprenorphine misuse was use by an unintended route of administration. The main complications notified were directly related to the injection of buprenorphine. NotS enabled the collection of data about severe clinical complications or new diversion phenomenon. The OPPIDUM LR survey revealed a decrease in the buprenorphine misuse indicator through the study period. The DRB analysis identified one subgroup of patients with a buprenorphine deviant behavior, characterized by a significantly greater number of dispensing episodes, pharmacies, prescribers, daily dose and switch between buprenorphine forms (princeps and generic). The DRB analysis provides data on buprenorphine diversion in the context of outpatients care. CONCLUSION: The three complementary approaches allowed us to characterize buprenorphine misuse in LR area. The three approaches are complementary because each data source provides different types of information.

Role of Methadone in Induction and/or Exacerbation of Cluster Headache in Patients Treated for Opioid Addiction.

Methadone is a potent opioid agonist widely used in opioid maintenance therapy. In some countries, methadone is available for pain treatment. We report the cases of two patients with history of substance abuse (mainly heroin), who presented with cluster headache possibly related to high-dose methadone. One possible explanation for the severe pain described in these cases is hyperalgesia induced by high doses of methadone.

[Necrotizing fasciitis related to injections of morphine (Skénan(®)) in a HIV-infected patient]. / Fasciites nécrosantes liées à des injections de morphine (Skénan(®)), chez un patient infecté par le VIH.

We report here a case of necrotizing fasciitis occurred because of intravenous misuse of morphine sulfate (Skénan (®)). Several factors are pertinent: the type of infection, rare but severe, the double localization of the necrotizing fasciitis, complicated by sepsis, the patient profile (HIV-infected) and the injected substance (opiate).

Necrosis of the intranasal structures and soft palate as a result of heroin snorting: a case series.

BACKGROUND: The link between nasal inhalation of cocaine and nasal and palatal necrosis is well documented. In contrast, few data are available concerning nasal mucosa necrosis related to heroin snorting. The authors report here the retrospective analysis of 24 cases of orofacial lesions in patients with nasal heroin usage, collected between 2006 and 2012. CASES: The cases concern 17 males and 7 females (median age 29.5 (range: 24-42)) with chronic consumption of intranasal heroin (from 2 months to more than 10 years). Six patients had a history of cocaine abuse. The median daily amount of heroin consumption was 5 g (range: 0.5-10). The complications were nasal perforation (11 cases), nasal ulceration or erythema (5 cases), nasal septum necrosis (5 cases), pharyngeal ulceration (3 cases), and palate damages (5 cases). The most common clinical signs and symptoms were nasal pain, purulent sputum, dysphagia, and rhinitis. Maintenance therapy with methadone (19 cases) or buprenorphine (3 cases) was initiated. In 8 cases, the injury improved. DISCUSSION: The potential of heroin to induce destructive orofacial lesions should be considered when nasal damages are observed in patients with drug abuse. A multidisciplinary approach seems to be the most effective means of managing such patients.

New formulation of methadone for opioid dependence in France: acceptability and diversion/misuse liability.

BACKGROUND: A new formulation of methadone as capsules is marketed in France since 2008. Few data are available on the patient acceptability and the risk of misuse of this new formulation. METHODS: To assess the patient acceptability after the switch methadone syrup/capsules and the diversion/misuse liability of the methadone capsule, a study through an anonymous questionnaire was conducted between March 2011 and May 2012 in two methadone centers of the region. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (men 75.6%) participated, with a median age of 37 years [IQR: 33-43 years]. The median duration of syrup methadone maintenance therapy was 1 year [IQR: 1-3 years]. A majority of patients (80.5%) described side-effects due to the syrup formulation. Median daily dose at the switch to methadone capsules was 75 mg [IQR: 42-105 mg]. Six patients described differences in the pharmacologic effect between the two formulations. Concerning the diversion and misuse liability of methadone capsules, 26.8% of patients reported that the medication was available at the "street market". Three patients have tried to solubilize and eight have tried to snooze it. CONCLUSION: All patients recognize the contribution of this new formulation concerning the use, side-effects and transport. None of them returned to the syrup.

Methadone-related deaths in Montpellier and Region, from 2000 to 2010.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this analysis were to assess the role of methadone and related substances in death occurring, discussing methadone blood concentrations and the contribution of the autopsy to the accountability of methadone in the death process. METHOD: We retrospectively analyzed all forensic cases positive for methadone from January 2000 to December 2010, in Montpellier and the region served by our laboratory. RESULTS: During the study period, 64 cases of deaths (11 women, 53 men) with methadone detection were recorded. A progressive increase between 2001 (2 cases) and 2010 (8 cases) was observed. The median age was 33 years old. An autopsy was available in 56.3% of cases. The most frequent finding at the autopsy was non-specific asphyxia death signs (67.6%). Tolerance to opioids was documented in 21 cases. The methadone blood concentrations ranged from 1 to 2 800 ng/mL (59 cases, median value 330 ng/mL). Most of the cases (88%) were polydrug intoxications. The most commonly associated drugs were benzodiazepines (61%), cannabinoids (28%), opioids (19%) and cocaine (12.5%). CONCLUSION: During a 11-year period, toxicological analyses related to 1991 death cases were performed at the Toxicology Laboratory of Montpellier University Hospital. Of these patients, 64 deaths were possibly related to methadone. Several relevant elements (biological analysis and autopsy) were used to attribute the deaths to the sole methadone (12 cases) or to methadone and associated substances (8 cases).

[Psychiatric disorders associated with high-dose methadone (>100 mg/d): a retrospective analysis of treated patients]. / Co-morbidités psychiatriques associées à des fortes posologies de méthadone (> 100 mg/j) : analyse rétrospective d'une cohorte de patients traités.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies show that high-dose methadone (>100 mg/d) allow a better control of the consumptions of illicit opiates by treated patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze data of patients requiring high-dose methadone (>100 mg/d) as well as associated factors. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed charts of treated patients with high-dose methadone followed in the maintenance methadone treatment center between 01/01/07 and 01/07/10. The following variables (medical history, psychiatric comorbidities, associated drugs, and polyaddictions), were assessed with high-dose methadone, using an univariate and then a multavariate analysis. The threshold value of 130 mg/day (median of maximal daily dose) was used to perform analysis. RESULTS: During the study period, 78 patients, mainly men (75.6%), with a median age of 34 years [22-57] were included. The both groups with posology of methadone ≤ 130 mg/d (n=44) versus posology of methadone >130 mg/d (n=34) were close in term of demographic characteristics, consumption of drugs and associated treatments. Plasma methadone concentrations were higher in patients with the daily doses of methadone superior than 130 mg/d (NS), as well as the methadone metabolite (EDDP, p=0.048). Among studied factors, the presence of psychiatric comorbidities was significantly associated with high-dose methadone (threshold 130 mg/d) [OR 4,6 IC 95% (1.412;14.925)]. Seven patients presented with complications related to methadone: cardiac disorder (3), libido troubles (3) and hypofertility (1). CONCLUSION: Patients requiring high-dose methadone are polydrug addicts. In our study, patients with psychiatric comorbidities needed daily dose of methadone significantly more raised.

Preference for buprenorphine/naloxone and buprenorphine among patients receiving buprenorphine maintenance therapy in France: a prospective, multicenter study.

Maintenance treatment with buprenorphine tablets (Subutex) has been associated with reductions in heroin use; however, concerns for intravenous misuse exist. A buprenorphine/naloxone formulation (Suboxone) was designed to reduce this misuse risk while retaining buprenorphine's efficacy and safety. This prospective, open-label, multicenter trial compared preferences for buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone in 53 opioid-dependent patients stabilized on buprenorphine. Buprenorphine was first administered at the patient's current dose (Days 1-2), followed by a direct switch to buprenorphine/naloxone (Days 3-5). Global satisfaction rates were high and similar between buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone; however, patients preferred the tablet taste, size, and sublingual dissolution time of buprenorphine/naloxone. At the end of the study, 54% of patients preferred buprenorphine/naloxone, 31% preferred buprenorphine, and 15% had no preference; most patients (71%) wished to continue treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone. This study did not identify any impediments to a direct buprenorphine-to-buprenorphine/naloxone switch and revealed some characteristics that may facilitate treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone.