Non-medical Use of Prescription Gabapentinoids (Gabapentin and Pregabalin) in Five European Countries

Bibliographic Data

ID15520924
AuthorsFrancina Fonseca (0000-0002-0779-6545, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona), William Lenahan (Denver Health Medical Center), Richard C Dart (0000-0001-5989-9354, Denver Health Medical Center), Esther Papaseit (0000-0003-2620-4274, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona), Paul I Dargan (0000-0002-3433-9622, King's College London), David M Wood (0000-0002-9724-7733, King's College London), Marilena Guareschi, Icro Maremmani (0000-0002-6324-0576, University of Pisa), Marc Auriacombe (0000-0002-8938-8683, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Magı́farré (0000-0001-8338-7543, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona), Magí Farré, Norbert Scherbaum (0000-0003-1759-6990, University of Duisburg-Essen), Marta Torrens (0000-0001-6222-4761, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume12
Pages676224-676224
Publication date2021-04-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.676224
PMID33995154
OpenAlexW3157061733
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited28

Background: Non-medical use (NMU) of prescription GABA analogs (pregabalin and gabapentin) has been reported especially in opiate dependent persons. However, by now the prevalence of NMU of gabapentinoids in the general population has not been sufficiently evaluated. The aim of this research paper is to determine the prevalence of prescription GABA analog NMU and associated demographics in five European countries with special detail of Spain. Methods: The RADARS Survey of Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs Program (NMURx) is a harmonized series of contemporaneous cross-sectional surveys of adults conducted in multiple countries. NMURx collects data from the general population in each participating country about NMU of prescription drugs, illicit drugs, and associated demographics. NMU was defined as "using a medication without a doctor's prescription or for any reason other than what was recommended by their doctor." Responses from Spain (4Q2017, n =10,062) were analyzed in detail. Comparative data were available from France, Germany, Italy, and UK. Responses were collected using non-probability quota sampling and post-stratification population weighting was applied to reflect the national distributions of adults, based on age, gender, and census region. Rates of NMU and associated demographics were reported as rate of past 90-day NMU per 100,000 adult population with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Germany (1,197 per 100,000 adult population [95% CI: 1,004.3-1,379.1]) and United Kingdom (1,067 per 100,000 adult population [95% CI: 851.3-1,283.2]) presented the highest prevalence of gabapentinoids NMU. In Spain the prevalence of past 90 days GABA analog NMU was: 344.4, 95% (CI 204.8-484.0), with male predominance. Those who non-medically use GABA analogs had a higher prevalence of lifetime chronic pain, lifetime illicit drug use, and previous substance abuse treatment. In Spain, 20% of respondents who ever have used gabapentinoids, reported a lifetime NMU; the prevalence was higher for pregabalin 624 (6.2%) than for gabapentin 444 (4.4%). The main reasons for use were to self-treat pain and other medical conditions. Conclusions: The risk of NMU of gabapentinoids should not be neglected. Subjects with a history of chronic pain and lifetime substance use disorders had an increased risk of NMU of gabapentinoids

Alternative medicine · Census · Demographics · Environmental health · Family medicine · Gabapentin · Medical prescription · Pharmacoepidemiology · Population · Pregabalin · Psychiatry · Anesthesia and Sedative Agents · Demography · Medicine · Opioid Use Disorder Treatment · Poisoning and overdose treatments · Pharmacology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access