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Powdered Alcohol: Is it harmful?

Details: Published: Tuesday, 31 March 2015 09:31

Powdered alcohol is now here. This marks the beginning of an entirely new problem for toxicologists. The key question is: Powdered Alcohol--Is is harmful? Several experts have weighed in on this and have offered up their opinions. Below is a sampling of these opinions.

Substance abuse experts are concerned about the imminent availability of powdered alcohol because of its health risks and abuse potential.

The flavored, freeze-dried alcohol, which looks like powdered Jell-O, can be thrown into a back pocket and taken almost anywhere, according to Harris Stratyner, PhD, regional clinical vice president, Caron Treatment Center's New York Recovery Services, and associate professor of psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City.

"You don't have to carry around a bottle of alcohol if you're going camping or for a bike ride. And when you get to your destination, you just add water or mixer to reconstitute the alcohol ― and voilá, you've got an instant alcoholic beverage," he said.

The powdered alcohol ― known as Palcohol ― was approved for sale earlier this month by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

The product, which comes in single-serving packages, each the equivalent of one shot of alcohol and weighing about an ounce, will reportedly hit retail stores and be available online by the summer.

There are five versions: vodka, rum, and three cocktails – Cosmopolitan, Lemon Drop, and Powderita, which tastes just like a Margarita. The mixed drink cocktails have natural flavorings and use Sucralose as a sweetener.

Because it is concentrated, the product would be easier than liquid alcohol to sneak into concerts and other places where alcohol is banned, said addiction specialist Petros Levounis, MD, chair, Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark.

Disaster Waiting to Happen?

The powdered substance makes it easy to snort the alcohol, which is "worrisome" and "dangerous," according to Dr Stratyner. He is also concerned about combining it with other drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana.

"Say you sprinkle it on a brownie made with marijuana, which is an antiemetic. Then suddenly you're going to have something that's inhibiting your ability to fight off alcohol poisoning."

Because the water has been removed, the percentage of alcohol by volume depends on how much liquid is added. When you add 6 ounces of liquid, it is equal to a standard mixed drink.

Dr Levounis is concerned about a product that "we don't know much about" bringing unanticipated problems. "We've been burned before" when products that appeared to be different formulations of a seemingly benign substance were approved and became a "completely new beast."

He used the example of Four Loko, a combination of alcohol and four shots of espresso. Alcohol has a "built-in protection" in that when you drink too much, you fall asleep. "But if you add four shots of espresso, you prolong your ability to continue to drink," he said.

Another concern is the misconception that products subject to abuse are safer when legal.

"The biggest disaster in addiction has come from cigarettes, not from marijuana," said Dr Levounis.

In addition, the novelty of the product might draw young people to try the powdered alcohol to impress their peers or seem cool, and to use it to excess, added Dr Levounis. He has seen first hand the fallout from such "crazy" behavior among kids.

Although approved at the federal level, the product is still subject to state regulations.

The powdered alcohol was approved before by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, but the approval was "rescinded," said Dr Stratyner. He and his colleagues at Caron Treatment Centers hope that "something can be done to take a closer look at it" again.

Sources: Interviews with Dr Stratyner and Dr Levounis, Palcohol website.

Breaking News: EMA suspends dozens of Drugs based on Flawed Studies

Details: Published: Friday, 23 January 2015 19:38

A committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has just a few days ago recommended suspending the sale of roughly four dozen generic drugs that are used for conditions including diabetes, depression, and hypertension because they noted that their approvals were based on flawed clinical studies conducted only in India. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet taken action on the issue. But they are in the process of reviewing this issue now.

Familiar names of commonly prescribe drugs on the list include candesartan, donepezil, escitalopram, esomeprazole, and metformin. The list extends more than 120 pages because the drugs are marketed individually in multiple European Union (EU) nations in various dosages, and therefore appear over and over.

Abbott Laboratories, Actavis, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Sandoz, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals are some of the many well-known manufacturers involved in this scandel.

The EMA recommendation to suspend the drugs would apply across the entire EU. Drug regulators in France, Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg have already acted to stop the sales of 25 of these drugs.

The clinical studies in question were conducted by GVK Biosciences, a contract research organization in Hyderabad, India.

The recommendation of the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use to suspend the drugs was based on an independent French inspection of GVK Biosciences that revealed "data manipulations of electrocardiograms during the conduct of some studies of generic medicines," apparently over the course of at least 5 years. The systematic and prolonged nature of these manipulations and the number of staff involved "cast doubt" on the integrity of the trial methodology and the reliability of the data generated according to the EMA.

FDA Has Taken No Action After Its Own GVK Inspection

When queried the FDA said that some 40 drug applications received from 2007 to March 2012 contained GVK clinical data, and that some of these applications were approved.

The FDA declined to identify the drugs in question or indicate those that had been approved.

According to the FDA statement, the agency inspected GVK Biosciences in September 2014 on the heels of the French inspection in May 2014 and failed to find any evidence "that affects the safety or efficacy of drug products subject to pending applications or products approved in the US."

The agency promised to take "swift and appropriate action" to protect American consumers if it "identifies issues concerning GVK Biosciences that relate to products approved by the FDA."

Exceptions Can Be Made

The EMA investigation of drugs studied at GVK Biosciences encompassed more than 1000 individual generics in various forms and strengths as individually approved in 29 EU nations. Of this group, 300 generics had enough supporting clinical data from other sources to warrant staying on the market, according to the EMA.

That left roughly 700 generics — reiterations of the core four dozen or so drugs — that should be suspended, the EMA said. However, individual countries can make an exception for drugs that are critically important because there are no alternatives to meet patients' needs.

The EMA recommendation goes to the European Commission, the EU's executive agency, for a legally binding decision that will apply to all EU nations, including those that already have suspended the generics in question.

In the meantime, American physicians are waiting for the results of the independent FDA evaluation of this situation. If the FDA concurs, then this will be the biggest debacle ever in U.S. pharmaceutical history.

Stay tuned!

Statins: A new side effect

Details: Published: Sunday, 28 December 2014 23:37

Statins are one of the most popular drugs. They reduce serum lipids implicated in producing cardiac and vascular disease. Statins have side effects and are well-known, such as liver disease and muscle pain. Now a new side effect has been discovered.

Statin therapy significantly elevates the risk of developing cataracts severe enough to warrant surgery, suggests analyses of two distinct cohorts, one from Canada and another from the US.

For now, the possibility of such a risk from statins and its potential mechanisms should be explored in prospective trials, "especially in light of increased statin use for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and the importance of acceptable vision in old age, when cardiovascular disease is common," according to the report, published in the December 2014 issue of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology with lead author Dr Stephanie J Wise (University of British Columbia, Vancouver).

"However, because the relative risk is low and because cataract surgery is effective and well tolerated, this association should be disclosed but not be considered a deterrent to use of statins when warranted for cardiovascular risk reduction," they write.

"For those of us who have prescribed high doses of statins for almost 3 decades, there is certainly no epidemic of cataracts among our longtime lipid-clinic patients," write Drs Steven E Gryn and Robert A Hegele (Western University, London, ON) in an accompanying editorial in the same journal.

"Nevertheless, if the findings of Wise et al are confirmed, physicians might need to factor in this potential risk when discussing statin use with patients," they continue.

And, in patients at high CV risk, "the prevention of CVD, stroke, and their associated morbidity and mortality vastly outweighs the risk of cataracts. Even among lower-risk patients, for whom the benefit/risk ratio is less dramatic, most patients would still probably prefer having to undergo earlier non–life-threatening cataract surgery over suffering a major vascular event."

Pain Meds Linked to Hypoglycemia

Details: Published: Sunday, 28 December 2014 23:24

A popular pain medication called Tramadol (Ultram) has been found to cause serious hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This adverse reaction is potentially fatal. Tramadol is not a narcotic. It is used in lieu of narcotics. The study can be found in JAMA.

JAMA Intern Med. Published online December 8, 2014.

The authors of the study wrote: "The increased prescribing of tramadol most likely reflects aggressive marketing coupled with the perception that it is a safe analgesic not prone to abuse. Whereas the drug's analgesic effects are at best moderate, its toxic effects are dangerous and merit respect, particularly when doses are escalated."

Other adverse effects include seizures, serotonin syndrome, and drug interactions, as well as well-known opiate adverse effects, namely respiratory depression.

New Synthetic Hallucinogens

Details: Published: Sunday, 28 December 2014 23:13

A novel class of synthetic hallucinogens that is being sold as a cheaper, more readily available LSD substitute, or even as LSD itself, is emerging as a particularly deadly drug, especially for young males, new research shows. A recent paper was published discussing the advent of this new class of drug. See: American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) 25th Annual Meeting and Symposium: Abstract 54, presented December 6, 2014.

This paper shows that a systematic review of published reports about use in humans of 251-NBOMe, or simply NBOMe, showed that doses as small as 50 µg can produce powerful effects ― and ingestion was associated with a variety of serious adverse events, from severe agitation and delirium that can last for days to seizures and even death. In fact, several deaths have already been reported. In fact, the drug is far more toxic and dangerous than prior hallucinogens like LSD.

Drug-related adverse events included severe agitation and aggression, delirium, tachycardia and hypertension, pyrexia, respiratory and metabolic acidosis, impaired renal function, elevation of creatine kinase levels, and elevated transaminase levels. A total of 40% of the patients presented with seizures; there was one case of status epilepticus. This differs dramatically from the side effect profile of LSD which wore off with time and only required sedation in some cases. These new drugs require ICU admission, and treatment of severe status epilepticus.

Popular Antipsychotic Medication Can be Fatal

Details: Published: Thursday, 11 December 2014 23:16

A recent study revealed that the popular anti-psychotic, anti-bipolar, anti-depressant medication, Geodon when taken in normal doses can result in a fatal reaction. Read on.

Antipsychotic Linked to Potentially Fatal Skin Reaction

The antipsychotic ziprasidone (Geodon, Pfizer Inc) and its generic counterparts have been linked to a rare but potentially fatal skin reaction, prompting the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to add a new warning to the drug's label.

Known as DRESS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic syndromes), this serious condition can start with a fever and a rash and/or swollen lymph glands. DRESS can quickly spread to all parts of the body, causing inflammation in major organs, including the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, or pancreas. DRESS can also increase eosinophils and lead to death.

Ziprasidone is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder.

At the first sign of fever and rash, patients should seek immediate and urgent medical care, the FDA notes in a release. In addition, healthcare professionals should immediately stop treatment with ziprasidone if DRESS is suspected, but it also warns that patients should not discontinue the drug on their own, particularly in the absence of symptoms.

The FDA warning is based on a review of six patients in whom the signs and symptoms of DRESS appeared between 11 and 30 days after initiation of ziprasidone treatment. None of the patients died.

The FDA has required the drug's manufacturer to add a new warning for DRESS to the Warnings and Precautions section of the drug labels for the capsule, oral suspension, and injection formulations.

The FDA is urging healthcare professionals and patients to report side effects involving ziprasidone to the FDA MedWatch program at 1-800-332-1088 (P), 1-800-FDA-0178 (F), or MedWatch Online.

Ecstasy Use Increases Dramatically

Details: Published: Friday, 10 January 2014 23:04

As Emergency Departments swell while suffering the repercussions of the Affordable Healthcare Act, our nation's youth increase their use of mind-altering drugs, in particular, Ecstasy (Mollys).

The number of emergency department (ED) visits related to the use of Ecstasy (MDMA) (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) has increased by a staggering 128% in just 6 years, new research shows.

Also known as Ecstasy or Molly, a new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that MDMA-related visits among individuals younger than 21 years jumped from 4460 in 2005 to 10,176 in 2011.

In addition, 33% of ED visits involving MDMA use in this patient population also involved alcohol use.

"These findings raise concerns about the increase in popularity of this potentially harmful drug, especially in young people. Ecstasy is a street drug that can include other substances that can render it even more potentially harmful. We need to increase awareness about this drug's dangers and take other measures to prevent its use," Peter Delany, MD, SAMSHA's director of the Center for Behavioral Health and Statistics and Quality, said in a release.

MDMA has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Although it is usually taken by mouth, it can also be snorted or smoked. The drug produces feelings of increased energy and euphoria and distorts users' sense and perception of time.

The report authors also note that the drug can produce a variety of negative health effects, including anxiety and confusion, that can last a week or longer. In addition, it has been associated with hypertension, as well as renal and cardiac failure.

The increase in this population is "a cause for concern due to the serious health risks involved with Ecstasy use and the higher potential for abuse when Ecstasy is mixed with alcohol," the report authors write.

The full report is available on the SAMSHA Web site.

Synthetic Cannabis Linked to Schizophrenia

Details: Published: Wednesday, 18 December 2013 12:20

Synthetic cannabis, often called spice, has become increasingly popular in high schools and on college campuses. New research has demonstrated that the drug is capable of triggering schizophrenia/psychosis in a certain percentage of people using the drug, at virtually any dose. These episodes of schizophrenia pass when the effects of the drug has worn off, but the long-term effects of this drug remain to be seen. The public must be educated about the use of synthetic cannabis and the risk of developing serious mental illness. The following newsbrief from Medscape summarizing a presentation from the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry annual meeting summarizes these findings:

FDA approves "game-changer" Hepatitis C drug

Details: Published: Wednesday, 18 December 2013 11:53

Hepatitis C is a chronic, ultimately terminal liver condition. Liver transplants are often necessary to prolong life. The medical treatment for this condition is anti-viral drugs. Recently, the FDA approved an entire new class of drugs to treat Hepatitis C, and it stands to dramatically improve patient outcome. The following is a news report on this new class of drugs, and the specific drug, Sofosbuvir, the FDA has just approved.