www.alcohol-drugs.co.uk – the blog

Authors: Kang L, Wang D, Li B, Hu M, Zhang P, Li J The effects of mirtazapine, a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant, on morphine withdrawal and morphine conditioned place preference (CPP) were investigated in rats. Our results showed that some morphine withdrawal signs, including teeth chattering, grooming, chewing, and escape attendance, were attenuated by single pretreatments with 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg mirtazapine. Wet-dog shakes, rearing, and grooming were inhibited by daily pretreatment with 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg mirtazapine.

Authors: Bruce RD, Govindasamy S, Sylla L, Haddad MS, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL Diversion of buprenorphine has been described in settings where it is legally prescribed and has become an increasing concern in Malaysia; it resulted in banning of buprenorphine in Singapore where unsubstantiated case reports suggested that buprenorphine injection was associated with particularly poor outcomes. We therefore conducted a case series of qualitative interviews with buprenorphine injectors in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to examine further the issues surrounding buprenorphine injection as well as the abuse of midazolam in combination with buprenorphine. Interviews with 19 men do not suggest significant adverse health consequences from buprenorphine injection alone and injectors have adapted diverted …

We examined recent non-fatal overdose experiences among participants enrolled in a prospective study of IDU recruited from within North America’s first medically supervised safer injecting facility. Correlates of recent non-fatal overdoses were identified using generalized estimating equations (GEE).