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Fulltext Provision of drug and alcohol services amidst COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative evaluation on the experiences of service providers

Richards-Jones L, Patel P, Jagpal PK, Lowrie R, Saunders K, Burwood S, et al.

Int J Clin Pharm, 2023 Oct;45(5):1098-1106.
PMID: 36971897 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-023-01557-1

BACKGROUND: The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of drug and alcohol (D&A) services and associated outcomes have been under-researched.
AIM: This study aimed to understand the experiences of service providers in relation to how drug and alcohol (D&A) services were affected during COVID-19 pandemic, including the adaptations made and lessons learnt for the future.
METHOD: Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants from various D&A service organisations across the UK. Data were audio recorded, followed by transcription and thematic analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 46 participants representing various service providers were recruited between October and January 2022. The thematic analysis identified ten themes. COVID-19 required significant changes to how the treatment was provided and prioritised. Expansion of telehealth and digital services were described, which reduced service wait times and increased opportunities for peer network. However, they described missed opportunities for disease screening, and some users risked facing digital exclusion. Participants who provided opiate substitution therapy service spoke of improving service provider/user trust following the shift from daily supervised treatment consumption to weekly dispensing. At the same time, they feared fatal overdoses and non-adherence to treatment.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK-based D&A service provisions. The long-term impact of reduced supervision on Substance Use Disorder treatment and outcomes and any effect of virtual communications on service efficiency, patient-provider relationships and treatment retention and successes are unknown, suggesting the need for further study to assess their utility.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose*
Fulltext Acute respiratory distress syndrome due to overdose desferrioxamine: report of a child

Atas B, Caksen H, Tuncer O, Oner AF, Kirimi E, Akbayram S

Med J Malaysia, 2005 Mar;60(1):91-3.
PMID: 16250288

In this article, we present an 18-month-old girl with acute iron poisoning who died from acute respiratory distress syndrome due to overdose of desferrioxamine. Our purpose is to emphasize the importance of close follow-up children with acute iron poisoning for desferrioxamine toxicity.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/complications
Characteristics of overdose and non-overdose suicide attempts in a multi-ethnic Asian society

Mak KK, Ho CS, Zhang MW, Day JR, Ho RC

Asian J Psychiatr, 2013 Oct;6(5):373-9.
PMID: 24011683 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2013.03.011

Overdosing is an accessible method adopted by people attempting suicide in city settings.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/ethnology; Drug Overdose/epidemiology*; Drug Overdose/psychology
Fulltext Low rates of hepatotoxicity among Asian patients with paracetamol overdose: a review of 1024 cases

Marzilawati AR, Ngau YY, Mahadeva S

BMC Pharmacol Toxicol, 2012;13:8.
PMID: 23021009 DOI: 10.1186/2050-6511-13-8

The metabolism of paracetamol in Asians is thought to differ from Westerners. Detailed clinical features of paracetamol -induced hepatotoxicity among Asians remains largely unreported.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/etiology; Drug Overdose/epidemiology
Fulltext Characteristics and outcomes of paracetamol poisoning cases at a general hospital in Northern Malaysia

Mohd Zain Z, Fathelrahman AI, Ab Rahman AF

Singapore Med J, 2006 Feb;47(2):134-7.
PMID: 16435055

Paracetamol is available as an over-the-counter medication in many countries including Malaysia. This drug has been implicated in many poisoning cases admitted to hospitals throughout the country.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/epidemiology; Drug Overdose/therapy
Fulltext Acute salicylism due to accidental ingestion of a traditional medicine

Malik AS, Zabidi MH, Noor AR

Singapore Med J, 1994 Apr;35(2):215-6.
PMID: 7939826

Traditional medicine is practised to some degree in all cultures. Many different types of herbal preparations and "oils" are widely used in Malaysia, too. We report a case of acute salicylism due to accidental ingestion of one brand of such oils. Compulsory labelling of traditional drugs with their chemical ingredients is suggested for proper and timely management of such cases.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/blood; Drug Overdose/etiology*
An analysis of the length of hospital stay after acetaminophen overdose

Zyoud SH, Awang R, Sulaiman SA, Al-Jabi SW

Hum Exp Toxicol, 2011 Jul;30(7):550-9.
PMID: 20630911 DOI: 10.1177/0960327110377647

Acetaminophen is one of the most commonly encountered medications in self-poisoning, with a high rate of morbidity. The prevalence and characteristics of acetaminophen intoxication associated with long hospital stay in patients are not well defined.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/drug therapy; Drug Overdose/economics*
Self-poisoning by drugs and chemicals: variations in demographics, associated factors and final outcomes

Fathelrahman AI, Ab Rahman AF, Mohd Zain Z

Gen Hosp Psychiatry, 2008 Sep-Oct;30(5):467-70.
PMID: 18774431 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2008.04.004

OBJECTIVE: Drug overdose exposures were compared with chemical poisoning in terms of demographics, associated factors and final outcomes.
METHOD: Deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) cases admitted to Penang General Hospital during the years 2000-2004 were studied. Chi-square, independent t-test and binary logistic were used whenever applicable.
RESULTS: Indian patients were more likely to use household products, whereas Malay and Chinese patients were more likely to take drug overdoses (P=.001). Drug overdose victims experienced more socioeconomic problems (P=.05) and were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (P=.052). Chemical poisoning patients presented earlier (P=.011), were hospitalized for shorter time (P=.001) and had a higher rate of mortality (P=.01).
CONCLUSION: The present study has identified a unique ethnic variation in the choice of suicide attempts from toxic substances. DSP associated with drug overdose showed significant morbidity, but increased mortality was seen in chemical poisoning.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/ethnology*; Drug Overdose/mortality; Drug Overdose/psychology
Current and Future Potential Impact of COVID-19 on Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) Supply and Use

Singh D, Brown PN, Cinosi E, Corazza O, Henningfield JE, Garcia-Romeu A, et al.

Front Psychiatry, 2020;11:574483.
PMID: 33324252 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.574483

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth., Rubiaceae) is native to and has traditional use in Southeast Asia. The number of kratom users outside of Southeast Asia has increased significantly in recent decades with use spreading to the Unites States (US) and Europe. Because of its reputed opioid-like psychoactive effects at higher doses, kratom has been regulated in several countries and is subject to an import ban by the US Food and Drug Administration. Nonetheless, in the US it is estimated that 10-15 million people consume kratom primarily for the self-treatment of pain, psychiatric disorders, to mitigate withdrawal from or dependence on opioids, and to self-treat opioid use disorder or other substance use disorders (SUDs). Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, a shortage in the supply of kratom products may place unexpected burdens on kratom users, potentially influencing some who use kratom for SUD self-treatment to regress to harmful drug use, hence increasing the likelihood of adverse outcomes, including overdose. Inadequate treatment, treatment barriers, and increases in the sales of adulterated kratom products on the internet or in convenience stores could exacerbate circumstances further. Although there are currently no verified indications of kratom scarcity, researchers and clinicians should be aware of and remain vigilant to this unanticipated possibility.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose
Fulltext A metabolomic analysis of thiol response for standard and modified N-acetyl cysteine treatment regimens in patients with acetaminophen overdose

Dear JW, Ng ML, Bateman DN, Leroy Sivappiragasam P, Choi H, Khoo BBJ, et al.

Clin Transl Sci, 2021 Jul;14(4):1476-1489.
PMID: 33742775 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13009

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antidote to prevent acetaminophen (paracetamol-APAP)-induced acute liver injury (ALI). The 3-bag licensed 20.25 h standard regimen, and a 12 h modified regimen, are used to treat APAP overdose. This study evaluated the redox thiol response and APAP metabolites, in patients with a single APAP overdose treated with either the 20.25 h standard or 12 h modified regimen. We used liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to quantify clinically important oxidative stress biomarkers and APAP metabolites in plasma samples from 45 patients who participated in a randomized controlled trial (SNAP trial). We investigated the time course response of plasma metabolites at predose, 12 h, and 20.25 h post-start of NAC infusion. The results showed that the 12 h modified regimen resulted in a significant elevation of plasma NAC and cysteine concentrations at 12 h post-infusion. We found no significant alteration in the metabolism of APAP, mitochondrial, amino acids, and other thiol biomarkers with the two regimens. We examined APAP and purine metabolism in overdose patients who developed ALI. We showed the major APAP-metabolites and xanthine were significantly higher in patients with ALI. These biomarkers correlated well with alanine aminotransferase activity at admission. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that at admission, plasma APAP-metabolites and xanthine concentrations were predictive for ALI. In conclusion, a significantly higher redox thiol response with the modified NAC regimen at 12 h postdose suggests this regimen may produce greater antioxidant efficacy. At baseline, plasma APAP and purine metabolites may be useful biomarkers for early prediction of APAP-induced ALI.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/blood; Drug Overdose/drug therapy*; Drug Overdose/etiology
Impact of serum acetaminophen concentration on changes in serum potassium, creatinine and urea concentrations among patients with acetaminophen overdose

Zyoud SH, Awang R, Sulaiman SA, Al-Jabi SW

Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf, 2011 Feb;20(2):203-8.
PMID: 21254292 DOI: 10.1002/pds.2060

Acetaminophen overdose may be accompanied by electrolyte disturbances. The basis for electrolyte change appears to be due to increased fractional urinary electrolyte excretion.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/blood
Fulltext Relationship between serum acetaminophen concentration and N-acetylcysteine-induced adverse drug reactions

Zyoud SH, Awang R, Sulaiman SA, Khan HR, Sawalha AF, Sweileh WM, et al.

Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol, 2010 Sep;107(3):718-23.
PMID: 20374238 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2010.00567.x

Intravenous N-acetylcysteine is usually regarded as a safe antidote. However, during the infusion of the loading dose, different types of adverse drug reactions (ADR) may occur. The objective of this study was to investigate the relation between the incidence of different types of ADR and serum acetaminophen concentration in patients presenting to the hospital with acetaminophen overdose. This is a retrospective study of patients admitted to the hospital for acute acetaminophen overdose over a period of 5 years (1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008). Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to test differences between groups depending on the normality of the data. SPSS 15 was used for data analysis. Of 305 patients with acetaminophen overdose, 146 (47.9%) were treated with intravenous N-acetylcysteine and 139 (45.6%) were included in this study. Different types of ADR were observed in 94 (67.6%) patients. Low serum acetaminophen concentrations were significantly associated with cutaneous anaphylactoid reactions but not other types of ADR. Low serum acetaminophen concentration was significantly associated with flushing (p < 0.001), rash (p < 0.001) and pruritus (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in serum acetaminophen concentrations between patients with and without the following ADR: gastrointestinal reactions (p = 0.77), respiratory reactions (p = 0.96), central nervous reactions (p = 0.82) and cardiovascular reactions (p = 0.37). In conclusion, low serum acetaminophen concentrations were associated with higher cutaneous anaphylactoid reactions. Such high serum acetaminophen concentrations may be protective against N-acetylcysteine-induced cutaneous ADR.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/drug therapy
Effects of delay in infusion of N-acetylcysteine on appearance of adverse drug reactions after acetaminophen overdose: a retrospective study

Zyoud SH, Awang R, Sulaiman SA, Al-Jabi SW

Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf, 2010 Oct;19(10):1064-70.
PMID: 20712021 DOI: 10.1002/pds.1955

To investigate the relationship between different types of adverse drug reaction (ADR) and late time to N-acetylcysteine (NAC) infusion in patients presenting to the hospital with acetaminophen overdose.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/drug therapy*
N-acetylcysteine-induced headache in hospitalized patients with acute acetaminophen overdose

Zyoud SH, Awang R, Sulaiman SA, Al-Jabi SW

Fundam Clin Pharmacol, 2011 Jun;25(3):405-10.
PMID: 20584210 DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2010.00831.x

Intravenous N-acetylcysteine (IV-NAC) is usually regarded as a safe antidote to acetaminophen overdose. However, during infusion of the loading dose, adverse drug reactions such as a headache may occur. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of headache in patients presenting to hospital after acetaminophen overdose and to determine which clinical findings are most predictive of headache among these patients. This is a retrospective cohort study of hospital admissions for acute acetaminophen overdose that was conducted over a period of 4 years from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2008. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, and predictors of headache were analyzed. spss 15 was used for data analysis. Two-hundred and fifty-five patients were studied; their mean age was 23.1 ± 1.6; 83.9% of them were women and 14.9% had a headache during hospitalization. Headache among patients was significantly associated with IV-NAC administration (P = 0.001), intentional ingestion of drug (P = 0.04), acetaminophen concentration above 'possible toxicity' treatment line (P = 0.04), a high acetaminophen concentration (P = 0.04), and a long hospital stay (P = 0.03). Multiple logistic regression showed a significant risk factor for headache in patients administered IV-NAC (P = 0.04). We recorded a high frequency of headache in patients with acute acetaminophen overdose in our geographical area. This study suggests that among those patients, the use of IV-NAC is associated with an increased risk of headache.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/drug therapy*
Incidence of adverse drug reactions induced by N-acetylcysteine in patients with acetaminophen overdose

Zyoud SH, Awang R, Syed Sulaiman SA, Sweileh WM, Al-Jabi SW

Hum Exp Toxicol, 2010 Mar;29(3):153-60.
PMID: 20071472 DOI: 10.1177/0960327109359642

Intravenous N-acetylcysteine (IV-NAC) is widely recognized as the antidote of choice for acetaminophen overdose. However, its use is not without adverse drug reactions (ADR) that might affect therapeutic outcome or lead to treatment delay.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/drug therapy
Factors associated with adult poisoning in northern Malaysia: a case-control study

Fathelrahman AI, Ab Rahman AF, Zain ZM, Tengku MA

Hum Exp Toxicol, 2006 Apr;25(4):167-73.
PMID: 16696291

Data on adult risk factors associated with drug or chemical poisonings in Malaysia are scarce. The objective of the study was to identify possible risk factors associated with adult admissions to the Penang General Hospital (PGH) due to chemical poisoning and/or drug overdose. The present study was a case-control study, conducted over 18 weeks. One hundred acutely poisoned adult patients admitted to PGH during the period from September 2003 to February 2004 were considered as cases. Two hundred patients admitted to the same medical wards for other illnesses, during the same period, were matched for age and gender with the poisoned cases and thus selected as controls. McNemar test and binary logistic were used for univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis for multivariate analyses. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated for each predictor variable. Positive histories of psychiatric illness and previous poisoning, problems in boy/girl friend relationships, family problems, marital problems, Indian ethnicity, Chinese ethnicity, living in rented houses and living in a household with less than five people were significant risk factors associated with adult admissions due to poisoning.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/epidemiology
Fulltext High prevalence of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Malaysia: Correlates of overdose and implications for overdose prevention from a cross-sectional study

Bazazi AR, Zelenev A, Fu JJ, Yee I, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL

Int J Drug Policy, 2015 Jul;26(7):675-81.
PMID: 25532449 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.11.010

Overdose is the leading cause of death among opioid users, but no data are available on overdose among people who inject drugs in Malaysia. We present the first estimates of the prevalence and correlates of recent non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/epidemiology*
Etiology, outcome and prognostic indicators of childhood fulminant hepatic failure in the United kingdom

Lee WS, McKiernan P, Kelly DA

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 2005 May;40(5):575-81.
PMID: 15861019

OBJECTIVE: To study the etiology, outcome and prognostic indicators in children with fulminant hepatic failure in the United Kingdom.
DESIGN: Retrospective review of all patients <17 years with fulminant hepatic failure from 1991 to 2000. Fulminant hepatic failure was defined as presence of coagulopathy (prothrombin time >24 seconds or International Normalized Ratio >2.0) with or without hepatic encephalopathy within 8 weeks of the onset of symptoms.
SETTING: Liver Unit, Birmingham Children's Hospital, United Kingdom.
RESULTS: Ninety-seven children (48 male, 49 female; median age, 27 months; range, 1 day-192.0 months) were identified with fulminant hepatic failure. The etiologies were: 22 metabolic, 53 infectious, 19 drug-induced, and 3 autoimmune hepatitis. The overall survival rate was 61%. 33% (32/97) recovered spontaneously with supportive management. Fifty-five children were assessed for liver transplantation. Four were unstable and were not listed for liver transplantation; 11 died while awaiting liver transplantation. Liver transplantation was contraindicated in 10 children. Of the 40 children who underwent liver transplantation, 27 survived. Children with autoimmune hepatitis, paracetamol overdose or hepatitis A were more likely to survive without liver transplantation. Children who had a delay between the first symptom of liver disease and the onset of hepatic encephalopathy (median, 10.5 days versus 3.5 days), higher plasma bilirubin (299 micromol/L versus 80 micromol/L), higher prothrombin time (62 seconds versus 40 seconds) or lower alanine aminotransferase (1288 IU/L versus 2929 IU/L) levels on admission were more likely to die of fulminant hepatic failure or require liver transplantation (P < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, the significant independent predictors for the eventual failure of conservative therapy were time to onset of hepatic encephalopathy >7 days, prothrombin time >55 seconds and alanine aminotransferase =2384 IU/L on admission.
CONCLUSIONS: Children with fulminant hepatic failure with severe coagulopathy, lower alanine aminotransferase on admission and prolonged duration of illness before the onset of hepatic encephalopathy are more likely to require liver transplantation. Early referral to a specialized center for consideration of liver transplantation is vital.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose/complications
Fulltext A diagnostic workup of perioperative anaphylaxis reveals a selective type 1 hypersensitivity to cefazolin

Meera Thalayasingam, Shek, Lynette Pei-Chi

International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2015;9(2):37-39.
MyJurnal

Anaphylaxis in the operating room although infrequent can be potentially fatal. The diagnosis of perioperative anaphylaxis is complex due to a multitude of factors. Firstly, patients under anesthesia cannot verbalize their complaints, the anesthetic agents themselves can alter vital parameters (e.g. heart rate and blood pressure) and cutaneous signs in a completely draped patient may be missed. Secondly, the differential diagnosis of intraoperative anaphylaxis is wide. Conditions such as asthma exacerbation, arrhythmia, hemorrhage, angioedema, mastocytosis, acute myocardial infarction, drug overdose, pericardial tamponade, pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolus, sepsis, tension pneumothorax, vasovagal reaction, venous air embolism, laryngospasm, blood transfusion reaction and malignant hyperthermia need to be considered. Thirdly, the diagnostic workup is challenging due to the multiple medications administered and other exposures encountered such as latex and chlorhexidene. However, through a timely allergy consultation and a systematic approach, identification of the culprit agent and safe alternatives can be established to prevent future occurrences as illustrated in the case below.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose
Fulltext A fatal case of metformin and gliclazide poisoning and its management

Low, Qin Jian, Chew, Soo Foong

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2017;11(3):35-40.
MyJurnal

Both metformin and gliclazide have been used extensively in the management of type II diabetes mellitus. Metformin and gliclazide overdose can lead to severe hypoglycaemia refractory to intravenous (IV) dextrose rescue therapy. A 21-year-old man complained of vomiting and felt dizzy after four hours of taking 70 tablets of Metformin 500 mg and 40 tablets of Gliclazide 80 mg. He had major depressive disorder and wanted to commit suicide. He was given IV Dextrose 50% 50 cc immediately. Octreotide had been used successfully to reverse the refractory hypoglycaemia caused by gliclazide overdose. Unfortunately, he developed severe lactic acidosis with acute kidney injury. Dialysis had been done by continuous venovenous haemodiafiltrationa and intravenous sodium bicarbonate 8.4% infusion was given. However, the patient succumbed due to the severe lactic acidosis and kidney failure despite of urgent dialysis. Octreotide infusion helps in preventing refractory hypoglycaemia secondary to sulfonylurea overdose by inhibit calcium-mediated insulin release. Metformin overdose causes severe lactic acidosis due to conversion of glucose to lactate. Sodium bicarbonate therapy in metformin induced lactic acidosis is also controversial. Though sulfonylurea and metformin are the most commonly-prescribed anti-hypoglycaemic agents, thus during prescribing everyone has to be careful about the overdoses and side effects of these drugs.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Overdose

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