Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
04:11
A Conditioned Place Preference Protocol for Measuring Incubation of Craving in Rats
Published on: November 6, 2018
Pregabalin abuse among opiate addicted patients
Martin Grosshans1, Tagrid Lemenager, Christian Vollmert
1Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, J5/68159, Mannheim, Germany, martin.grosshans@zi-mannheim.de.
European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|August 31, 2013
Summary
Pregabalin abuse is a concern among patients undergoing opiate replacement therapy. This study found a significant percentage of opiate-dependent individuals tested positive for pregabalin without a medical prescription, indicating potential misuse.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Addiction Medicine
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Pregabalin, a GABA analogue, is prescribed for seizures, neuropathic pain, and anxiety.
- While classified as low-risk for abuse, concerns exist regarding its misuse in opiate-addicted populations.
- Previous studies suggest a potential for pregabalin abuse among individuals with a history of opiate use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that pregabalin may be abused by patients undergoing opiate replacement therapy.
- To determine if pregabalin is misused by individuals without a medical indication for its use, particularly those with opiate dependency.
Main Methods:
- Urine specimens were collected from 124 patients with opiate dependency syndrome.
- A control group of 111 patients with other addiction disorders (alcohol, benzodiazepines, cannabis, amphetamines) was included.
- Mass spectrometer analysis was employed to screen all urine specimens for the presence of pregabalin.
Main Results:
- 12.1% of patients with opiate addiction tested positive for pregabalin.
- None of the pregabalin-positive patients in the opiate-dependent group had a medical indication for the drug.
- In the control group, 2.7% tested positive for pregabalin, attributed to legitimate medical use for chronic pain or anxiety.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest pregabalin is susceptible to abuse by individuals with opiate dependency syndrome.
- Increased vigilance is recommended when prescribing pregabalin to patients with a history of opiate dependence.
- Healthcare providers should exercise caution and monitor patients closely for potential pregabalin misuse in this population.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:15Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
01:20Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezocgabine or retigabine, an antiepileptic drug of remarkable efficacy, has revolutionized the management of seizures. It is a potassium channel activator, explicitly targeting the family of Q subtype potassium channels. It enhances the transmembrane potassium currents, regulating neuronal excitability. This action stabilizes the resting membrane potential, a pivotal factor in mitigating the hyperexcitability that characterizes epilepsy.
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
01:14CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
01:17Drug Dependence
Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...