Showing papers by "Nicolas Simon published in 2020"

Antipsychotic polypharmacy in schizophrenia: evolving evidence and rationale.

Abstract: Antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP), defined as the use of more than one antipsychotic, is common in schizophrenia. However, current guidelines consider that the level of evidence to support APP is we...

Buprenorphine poisoning in children: a 10-year-experience of Marseille Poison Center.

Abstract: Buprenorphine is a µ-partial agonist and k-antagonist acting on central opioid receptors. Patented for analgesia in 1968, buprenorphine has been used as opioid substitutive therapy since the 1990s, as well as methadone. The aim was to document pediatric poisoning, to discover the severity, and to evaluate the treatment with naloxone. All pediatric poisonings reported to the poison control center Marseille (France)-from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2018-were included. Analysis put value on gender, age, estimated quantity, symptoms and their delay, place of treatment, medical treatment, utilization of antidotes, severity of intoxications, and patients' outcome. Fifty-four infant poisonings with buprenorphine were recorded, doses varied between 1 and 36 mg, and children showed mainly neurological (somnolence, miosis…) and gastroenteric (vomiting) effects. Pulmonary effects were described for four children. According to the poisoning severity score, 8 intoxications were classified as 'no symptoms or signs', 37 as minor poisonings, 3 as moderate, none as severe or fatal and 6 were unknown. Medical care was required for 46 children, and four of them were treated with naloxone. Buprenorphine poisoning can cause neurological, gastroenteric, and respiratory symptoms. Even licking a tablet leads to intoxication because of maximal tablet's absorption while placing it under the tongue. Hospital admission is necessary even at small doses. Naloxone was efficient in the four described cases. Parents have to be aware of the poisoning risk with buprenorphine. Recently, commercialized instantly dissolving formulations could cause more severe intoxications.

Methadone poisonings: a seven‐year retrospective study of the French poison center network focusing on suicide attempts vs. misuses

Abstract: Methadone has been prescribed in France as opioid substitution therapy as a syrup formulation since 1995 and as capsules since 2008. Following two publications showing on a national scale the high risk of methadone poisoning in children and the lack of difference in poisoning severity between both methadone formulations, French health authorities chose to benefit from the experience acquired by the network of French poison centres concerning poisoning by this substitution medication. The aim of this study was to identify and compare the main circumstances of methadone exposure collected by a poison centre on a national scale over a period of 7 years. Retrospective descriptive study of cases of methadone exposure was compiled by the network of French poison centres between 15 October 2010 and 15 October 2017. Analysis of 1415 files revealed two major circumstances: 47% misuse and 41% suicide attempts. Severity scores evaluated according to the PSS were higher for misuse than for suicidal behaviour, despite the supposed ingested dose being statistically higher in the latter. The results also confirmed the lack of significant difference in methadone exposure between both of the formulations (syrup and capsules). This series of methadone exposure on a national scale is one of the largest compiled series in international medical literature. On the one hand, it highlights the severity of methadone poisoning (in suicidal behaviour and even more so in misuse behaviour), and on the other hand, it confirms that the capsule formulation does not seem to represent a higher risk than the syrup formulation.

Toxicological considerations in the prescription of baclofen for the treatment of substance use disorders.

Abstract: Introduction: For many years, applications for baclofen have widened in the treatment of substance abuse disorder (SUD), mainly alcohol use disorder, with a growing rate of off-label prescriptions in Europe. Clinical effects seem to be both a decrease of craving and anxiety, leading to a decrease of drug or alcohol consumption. We described baclofen poisoning circumstances, therapeutic options and outcomes when used in substance use disorders.Areas covered: This review summarizes the toxicological considerations where baclofen was prescribed in humans for substance use or abuse disorder in randomized clinical trials, case series, case reports and observational studies between 1990 and 2020 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic reviews and Meta-Analysis.Expert opinion: The most frequent cause of severe intoxication is self-poisoning. A dose above 180 mg are expected to cause severe toxicity and death. The treatment is only symptomatic as no antidote is available. Off-label prescription remains unsafe because the optimal dose is not known and varies greatly between patients. As SUD are frequently associated with psychiatric disorders and such patients may have suicidal thoughts, the risk of self-poisoning is high. Potential co-ingestants should also be considered, especially CNS depressants, and they need to be closely monitored.

Relation pharmacocinétique/pharmacodynamique entre la concentration sanguine de tétrahydrocannabinol et l’aptitude à conduire un véhicule chez des consommateurs occasionnels ou chroniques de cannabis

Abstract: Resume Objectif La relation pharmacocinetique/pharmacodynamique (PK/PD) apres une prise fumee de cannabis et l’aptitude a conduire est peu documentee. Methodes Le tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) et ses deux principaux metabolites ont ete mesures dans le sang de 15 consommateurs chroniques (CC, 1–2 joints/j) et de 15 consommateurs occasionnels (CO, 1–2 joints/semaine) 12 fois pendant 24 h apres consommation d’une cigarette contenant de maniere randomisee du placebo, 10 mg ou 30 mg de THC. Les effets ont ete evalues 7 fois par un test de vigilance (temps de reaction) et un simulateur de conduite durant la meme periode. Resultats Il n’existe pas de relation PK/PD. La concentration sanguine en THC et 11-OH-THC est maximale des la fin de la consommation alors que les effets sont maximums 5 a 6 h apres. Apres une meme dose consommee, la concentration sanguine de THC est pratiquement deux fois plus elevee chez les CC que chez les CO. Les CC ont toujours du THC dans le sang (>1 ng/mL) apres 24 h alors qu’il est Conclusion Le cannabis a un effet deletere sur la conduite, decale dans le temps par rapport a la cinetique sanguine du THC.