Primary Dependence to Analgesic Drugs

Plain-language summary

Abuse of analgesics represents an important part of prescription drug abuse. The consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality at the population level could reach worryingly high levels, as illustrated by the US context. This issue should not focus only on opioid analgesics, but must also account for some antiepileptics or antidepressants with abuse potential (for example, pregabalin or gabapentin). In France, reports related to tramadol abuse are increasing, in particular since dextropropoxyphene withdrawal. Trends of growing abuse are also reported for other analgesics. Patients with no history of primary dependence constituted a significant proportion of those developing a tramadol abuse. There is therefore a need for early identification of these patients and to raise awareness of health professionals on this issue, in particular in primary care. Given the extensive use of analgesic drugs in France, the problem of primary dependence should not be neglected. Since it will affect people who have no history of drug abuse, strategies for identification and prevention are differing from a population already using psychotropic products for example.

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