Officials have moved to reclassify crystal methamphetamine as a Class A controlled substance, the highest restrictive class, The Guardian reported.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs recommended the reclassification to Home Secretary John Reed, prompted in participation by the finding of a small number of neighbouring methamphetamine labs. British officials are watching the drug guardedly after seeing meth addiction whisk across the U.S. and Australia. Numerous experts foretell that meth use, now restricted mainly to gay clubgoers, will become commonplace in Great Britain within the next few years.
Immediately following, the Class A assignment gives the law run to aim both meth abuse and meth labs; as a Class B drug, meth is not the angle of any concerted police movement. Even if rates of use in the U.K. stay low at present-day, reclassifying crystal meth could maintain preemptive value in enabling police resources to be directed towards the drug as part of the tactic to centre on class A drugs.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Injectable Alcoholism Medication Approved
The FDA has approved Vivitrol (naltrexone) as a one time-a-month injectable medication for the treatment of alcoholism. Naltrexone has been used as a tablet, which is taken everyday.
The drug suppresses alcohol cravings by blocking neurotransmitters which stimulate alcohol reliance. In addition, although the drug is typically well tolerable, liver impairment is one of the conceivable side-effects for patients on high doses. It is not indicated for patients with acute hepatitis or liver failure caused by alcoholism. Patients treated with injectable Vivitrol will also be given addiction counseling and support, say the makers. The new product will be accessible in the USA in June, say the makers.
A stage III trial run showed patients taking 380 mg of Vivitrol and receiving psychosocial support experienced considerably fewer incidences of massive drinking bouts compared to patients given a placebo and psychosocial support.
Written by: Christian NordqvistEditor: Medical News Today
That concludes this special report.
The drug suppresses alcohol cravings by blocking neurotransmitters which stimulate alcohol reliance. In addition, although the drug is typically well tolerable, liver impairment is one of the conceivable side-effects for patients on high doses. It is not indicated for patients with acute hepatitis or liver failure caused by alcoholism. Patients treated with injectable Vivitrol will also be given addiction counseling and support, say the makers. The new product will be accessible in the USA in June, say the makers.
A stage III trial run showed patients taking 380 mg of Vivitrol and receiving psychosocial support experienced considerably fewer incidences of massive drinking bouts compared to patients given a placebo and psychosocial support.
Written by: Christian NordqvistEditor: Medical News Today
That concludes this special report.
Prescription abuse
Statistics may be true, but drug abuse still runs rampant through our region in the form of prescription drug abuse. Abuse of prescription pain medication and anti-anxiety agents have taken the place of the more traditionally abused chemicals.
Opioid-based pain relievers such as OxyContin, Dilaudid, Percocet, and Lortab, are easily obtained by simply visiting their family physician or the local emergency room. These medications are frequently abused and highly addictive.
The body becomes dependent on the addictive painkillers and the user goes through severe withdrawal when deprived of them. Often the fear of these withdrawal symptoms, and the addiction itself will drive these users to obtain the medication any way they can, legally or illegally.
Another highly abused prescription medication in our region is benzodiazepines. These medications, often referred to as “nerve-pills,” or “benzos” are causing many to become hopelessly addicted.
Often, drug abusers will combine the opioids with the benzodiazepines to enhance their euphoria, but this combination has led to many accidental overdoses and death. Benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan also cause withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopped. The most prevalent withdrawal symptom from benzodiazepines is increased anxiety, reinforcing the patient’s belief that they cannot go without medication.
The purpose of this letter is to increase awareness of this type of substance abuse and to ask local physicians to be more diligent in screening patients for substance abuse behavior. Requests for early refills, numerous reports of lost or stolen medication, and frequent emergency room visits asking for pain medication should all raise red flags.
Pharmacists could help identify problem patients by reporting “doctor-shopping,” and odd behaviors such as insisting on paying cash for a controlled medication when they have insurance.
We are aware that there is no way to stop the abuse of prescription medication altogether. We do, however, believe that those who provide the prescription can make an impact on availability.
Simple proactive steps such as pill counts, urine drug screens, and recognizing drug-seeking behavior may help identify those who abuse or misuse their medication. Once abuse or misuse has been identified, then detoxification and substance abuse counseling can be offered.
— Alina Vrinceanu, MD; Roger Hamm, LPN
Southern Highlands Community Health Center, Princeton, WV
Opioid-based pain relievers such as OxyContin, Dilaudid, Percocet, and Lortab, are easily obtained by simply visiting their family physician or the local emergency room. These medications are frequently abused and highly addictive.
The body becomes dependent on the addictive painkillers and the user goes through severe withdrawal when deprived of them. Often the fear of these withdrawal symptoms, and the addiction itself will drive these users to obtain the medication any way they can, legally or illegally.
Another highly abused prescription medication in our region is benzodiazepines. These medications, often referred to as “nerve-pills,” or “benzos” are causing many to become hopelessly addicted.
Often, drug abusers will combine the opioids with the benzodiazepines to enhance their euphoria, but this combination has led to many accidental overdoses and death. Benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan also cause withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopped. The most prevalent withdrawal symptom from benzodiazepines is increased anxiety, reinforcing the patient’s belief that they cannot go without medication.
The purpose of this letter is to increase awareness of this type of substance abuse and to ask local physicians to be more diligent in screening patients for substance abuse behavior. Requests for early refills, numerous reports of lost or stolen medication, and frequent emergency room visits asking for pain medication should all raise red flags.
Pharmacists could help identify problem patients by reporting “doctor-shopping,” and odd behaviors such as insisting on paying cash for a controlled medication when they have insurance.
We are aware that there is no way to stop the abuse of prescription medication altogether. We do, however, believe that those who provide the prescription can make an impact on availability.
Simple proactive steps such as pill counts, urine drug screens, and recognizing drug-seeking behavior may help identify those who abuse or misuse their medication. Once abuse or misuse has been identified, then detoxification and substance abuse counseling can be offered.
— Alina Vrinceanu, MD; Roger Hamm, LPN
Southern Highlands Community Health Center, Princeton, WV
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