Pregabalin Qualitative Detection in Turkish Forensic Cases Between 2017 to 2018

Area of Science:

• Forensic Toxicology
• Pharmacovigilance
• Drug Abuse Research

Background:

• Pregabalin (PGB) diversion from prescription to recreational use is a recognized issue.
• Substance control policies in Turkey include PGB, necessitating monitoring of its misuse.
• Forensic medicine institutes play a crucial role in identifying drug abuse patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence of pregabalin (PGB) use and co-ingestion of other substances in forensic cases in Turkey.
• To analyze demographic data of individuals testing positive for PGB.
• To provide systematic data on PGB misuse for public health and policy.

Main Methods:

• Screening of 15,259 samples for PGB between June 2017 and December 2018.
• Analysis of PGB-positive cases for demographic information and co-occurring substances.
• Utilizing both blood and urine samples for comprehensive detection.

Main Results:

• PGB was detected in 3.2% (n=487) of all screened cases.
• The majority of PGB-positive cases were male (94%) with a mean age of 29.24 years.
• Cannabis metabolite THC-COOH was the most frequent co-detected substance, alongside other opioids and analgesics.

Conclusions:

• Pregabalin misuse and poly-drug use are increasing trends in forensic cases in Turkey.
• The findings underscore the importance of vigilance among healthcare providers when prescribing PGB.
• Systematic data collection is vital for understanding and addressing drug diversion and abuse patterns.