Results show new tool can be useful in evaluating prescription drug abuse.
Newton, MA (PRWEB) May 7, 2007 -- Inflexxion, Inc., a company that develops and implements scientifically validated solutions for healthcare such as risk management tools for prescription drug abuse, today announced results from an Internet survey that assessed prescription drug abuse in the United States. Findings show that a new tool, an Internet survey, can tap into a hidden population: recreational prescription drug abusers. Respondents provided information on product-specific abuse of prescription drugs. Survey results were presented at the 26th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society in Washington, D.C.
"Our survey shows that it is feasible to evaluate and analyze prescription opioid abuse within the population of 'recreational abusers,'" stated Nathaniel Katz, MD, MS, Medical Director for Risk Management Strategies at Inflexxion and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Tufts University School of Medicine. "These data cast new light, providing a better understanding of the complexities surrounding prescription opioid abuse preferences and sources."
Survey Results
Inflexxion conducted an online survey of those who are actively engaged in illicit drug use by coordinating with an online Web site for recreational drug use. The comprehensive survey was designed to better characterize prescription opioid abuse and to determine if this method of data collection can be a valid tool, reflecting present status and predicting trends of abuse. Survey questions probed about rates of abuse in the past 30 days for all currently marketed opioids. Additional issues included: methods of abuse, sources of diverted medications, and characteristics of users.
Findings show product-specific abuse rates and suggest that Alpharma's KADIAN® (morphine-sulfate extended-release) Capsules are abused less than comparators, specifically OxyContin® (oxycodone HCl controlled-release) Tablets and Vicodin® (hydrocodone). Based on responses from 896 participants, one percent of respondents used KADIAN® for non-medical purposes in the past 30 days, compared to OxyContin® (21 percent) and Vicodin® (22 percent). These results were normalized for prescribing ratios and relationships for rates of abuse were maintained.
Participants were also more likely to have used oxycodone ER as a group compared to morphine ER and hydrocodone. Participants who had experience using KADIAN®, Vicodin® and OxyContin® indicated that their number one "drug of choice" was OxyContin®.
Findings also indicated that the majority of users obtained their drugs from dealers, followed by family and friends. Among Vicodin® users, family and friends (N = 106) were the primary source and dealers (N = 96) were the secondary source. Regarding route of administration most participants preferred to swallow Vicodin and KADIAN®, but OxyContin® users preferred snorting or sniffing the product.
The largest proportions of respondents were white (80 percent), male (84 percent), and were broadly distributed across the country. Ages ranged from 18 to 60 years old. Nearly 20 percent of respondents had received a diagnosis of chronic pain.
The survey was created in collaboration with moderators of a recreational drug abuse Web site, www.Erowid.org. Survey creators set out to determine the feasibility of recruiting participants and obtaining reliable personal information about their drug use. The collected information regarding characteristics of users, preferred opioids, routes of administration, and sources of medication. This survey has opened new channels of communication between researchers and a number of hidden populations, including a spectrum of illicit drug users not typically accessed by previous sampling methods. Internet surveys have the potential to obtain product specific information on a large segment of the total drug abusing population (users who are not addicted) that is often unrepresented.
This survey was supported by a grant from Alpharma Pharmaceuticals LLC.
KADIAN® is a registered trademark. KADIAN is a trademark owned by Alpharma Pharmaceuticals LLC. OxyContin® is a registered trademark. Vicodin® is a registered trademark.
About Inflexxion, Inc.
Inflexxion Inc., founded in 1989, creates behavioral health solutions for prevention, education and disease management using engaging interactive multimedia and Internet technologies. Inflexxion develops clinically tested programs for substance abuse and addiction, campus health, cancer, HIV, pain management, women's health and other wellness issues. These innovative programs help health professionals; pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies deliver quality care to diverse populations. The Risk Management Division builds custom tools, products and services to support the risk management initiatives of companies that research, manufacture and market opioid pain medications and other therapeutic agents with potential abuse problems. Key offerings include NAVIPPRO, PainEDU.org, and SOAPP®. Inflexxion is based in Newton, MA.
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