Psychotropic drug

About: Psychotropic drug is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2309 publications have been published within this topic receiving 54070 citations.

Psychotropic drug use and driving risk.

Abstract: This review deals with studies of the incidence of psychotropic drugs in general populations, in samples of drivers and samples of accident drivers. Investigations have varied in terms of drugs studied, reliability of data collection procedures and criteria for choosing sample populations. This variability plus lack of replicative investigations makes the generation of conclusions tentative at this time. The studies cited did show that as high as 35 to 50 percent of the general population risk driving after drug use at least once per year and suggest that 11 to 15 percent of accident drivers have taken a psychotropic drug prior to their accident. Psychotropic drug use is most likely to be found among certain drinking driver groups, especially the fatally injured. The authors indicate that the veracity of drivers' statements about drug use is very low and drug use estimates derived from questioning are probably very conservative.

Evaluating the cost effectiveness of newer psychotropic medications.

Abstract: With the introduction of newer, more expensive psychotropic medications, pharmacists must consider the cost-effectiveness issues related to the use of these drugs. In general, the newer agents are more effective than conventional drugs, have improved side-effect profiles, and are associated with a lower rate of recidivism. However, because of cost constraints, not every patient who needs a newer psychotropic drug has the opportunity to receive it. To provide these patients with the medication they need, we must look beyond the acquisition cost of the drug and focus on the global impact of the medication on the total mental health budget at a facility. Data from this point of view can justify the greater expense of the medication, and more importantly, the patient can be better served. Cost-effectiveness data from one's own institution may be more convincing to formulary committee members than data from academic centers and can help make newer, more expensive agents available to the patients who need them. Designing and implementing a retrospective study is one means of obtaining these cost-effectiveness data.

A survey of the use of psychopharmaceuticals in patients admitted to a university hospital for adults

Abstract: We performed a survey concerning the use of psychotropic drugs among 223 patients admitted to a university hospital in November 1986. 39% of patients were receiving some psychotropic drug, and 73% of these corresponded to benzodiazepines. Insomnia and anxiety were reported as the main causes for drug use. Patients above age 50 were most affected. 61% of drugs had been in use for more than 6 months. These results confirm previous findings regarding psychotropic drug use in adults.

Propofol as a controlled substance: poison or remedy

Abstract: Korea is the first, and perhaps only, country to classify propofol as a controlled substance. In February 2011, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety classified propofol as a psychotropic drug, making it illegal to prescribe or consume other than for stipulated treatments that may need sedation, such as a gastrointestinal endoscopy [1]. In this month's Korean Journal of Anesthesiology, we learned that Kim et al. [2] provided the reference data for the regulation of propofol in Korea as a controlled substance. The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety considered the results of their survey. In 2009, a report of nine cases of propofol abuse by medical personnel concluded that propofol required stricter control or designation as a controlled substance [3]. This study queried 95 councilors of Korean Society of Anesthesiologists on the abuse of propofol by their medical personnel. The nine cases included four anesthesiology residents, two other residents, an anesthesiology nurse, and two individuals with unknown backgrounds. Although this study has been criticized because the results are based on an incomplete survey of councilors whose recall may be inaccurate, it was the first report on propofol abuse in Korea. Propofol has not been considered a controlled substance because it is not associated with physical dependency. Consequently, the addictive potential of the drug has received little attention. Although propofol has been used safely for over 30 years without significant addiction problems, the tragic death of pop icon Michael Jackson in 2009 brought the abuse of propofol by the general public into the spotlight. While physical dependency is rare, psychological dependency is an important phenomenon. Euphoria, sexual fantasies and dreams, and sexual disinhibition upon awakening are well-known effects of propofol and can also occur after anesthesia and monitored anesthesia care. Many countries agree that propofol should be subject to stricter control. However, misuse is not a real problem in those countries. They are concerned that stricter control of propofol would involve an increased administrative load. The US Food and Drug Administration requires that the drug be administered by healthcare professionals trained in the administration of general anesthesia. In the UK, it is always administered by anesthetists or intensivists. In the past, addiction has been a major issue for anesthesia personnel [4]. It has been suggested that a major contributor to propofol addiction is easy access. Although access alone does not result in drug abuse, tighter control allows for earlier detection and documentation in suspected cases of abuse [4]. What makes circumstances in Korea different from those in other countries? The authors argue that propofol abuse in non-healthcare professionals is not a social issue and more serious substance abuse including narcotics and marijuana is the main concern of regulatory body in other countries. Unlike the general situation in most countries, non-healthcare professional are exposed to propofol abuse in Korea. Most cases enrolled in this study were non-healthcare professional single women in their 20s. These cases became social issues. We hope that this study is a lesson for other countries where propofol abuse occurs. Paracelsus' famous quotation may be modified for this century as "Poison is in everything, and no thing is without poison. The usage (instead of dosage) makes it either a poison or a remedy."