Using Over-The-Counter And Other Prescription Medications To Potentiate Opiates In The USA: Literature Review. Medical And Public Health Aspects Of OTC Medication Misuse

Abstract

Medical and Public Health Aspects of OTC Medication Misuse. J Alcohol Drug Depend Subst Abus 5: 012. four out of five heroin users in the US started out by misusing OTC medication. Currently, 40% of users are potentiating their opiates with enhancers. Commonly used OTC enhancers include grapefruit juice, cimetidine, codeine, diphenhydramine, quinine, vitamin supplements, gabapentin and clonazepam, among others. The study aims to provide the first literature review on the topic. In this case, our research will be aimed at finding the ways opiate drug abus ers are using OTC and other prescribed medications to potentiate intoxication effects of the opiates, and also to identify the main reason people are potentiating opiates. The study will also investigate other drugs that are used to potentiate opiates. We believe there is a need for further research among street drug users with the aim of clarifying our understanding of opiates and their use. This study is motivated by the previously published literature and by the needs of society, and it will analyze data regarding the use of opiate boosters (OTC and other prescription medications) in the USA along with user feedback to provide information about the evolving abuse and suggest new approaches to combat opioid misuse. Abstract Opiates are generally indicated for the treatment of various pain syndromes; however, if alternate treatments have been exhausted and a physician elects to prescribe opioids, then both the physician and patient should be aware of the risks associated with use. More that 10% of patients prescribed opioids go on to misuse their pre- scription, and opioids account for three-quarters of all fatal prescription drug overdoses. Opioid boosters are drugs, herbs, or substances that are utilized to intensify the effects of the opioid. The use of potentiates goes back to as early as the 1600s where it is reported that morphine was sometimes combined with cocaine and alcohol to intensify its opioid effects. Today, the use of potentiates is aggravat-ing the issue of opioid abuse. While there are many approaches by which opioid effects can be intensified illicitly (e.g. snorting, or crush - ing tablets, evaporating liquid opioids via vapes, mixing liquid opioids with sodium bicarbonate, consuming grapefruit juice, etc), this article is intended to discuss most medications that are utilized as opioid boosters or potentiates. The article is not intended to provide a complete list of all potential boosters, however, we believe that it is an educational material to enhance our understanding and combat the abuse of opioids.