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Benzodiazepine misuse by drug addicts
D J Garretty1, K Wolff, A W Hay
1Department of Chemical Pathology and Immunology, Old Medical School, University of Leeds, UK.
Annals of Clinical Biochemistry
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Many patients tested positive for unprescribed benzodiazepines, indicating potential misuse. Nitrazepam and chlordiazepoxide were frequently detected, despite not being prescribed to most patients in the study.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Benzodiazepine prescriptions are common for various conditions.
- Urine screening is crucial for monitoring patient compliance and detecting substance misuse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify seven common benzodiazepines in urine samples from patients at Leeds Addiction Unit.
- To identify discrepancies between prescribed and detected benzodiazepines.
Main Methods:
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for precise benzodiazepine detection.
- Enzyme Immunoassay (EMIT) screening was employed for initial benzodiazepine positivity.
Main Results:
- 44% of urine samples contained benzodiazepines that were not prescribed to patients.
- Nitrazepam was the most frequently detected (61 samples) but unprescribed.
- Chlordiazepoxide was detected in 49 samples, far exceeding the 5 prescribed instances.
Conclusions:
- Significant evidence of multiple benzodiazepine misuse was found.
- Discrepancies highlight the need for robust drug monitoring in addiction treatment.
- HPLC analysis provides accurate detection of prescribed and non-prescribed benzodiazepines.