No prescription? No problem: A qualitative study investigating self-medication with novel psychoactive substances (NPS)

Holborn, Tayler; Schifano, Fabrizio; Deluca, Paolo

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104109

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…This finding supports previous research [29,30]. Furthermore, the findings of a previous study [23,33] show agreement with the current study regarding student awareness of the importance of completing medical courses.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Self-Medication among Pharmacy University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Zawia, Libya

Smeda,

Almakrabi,

Hassan

et al. 2023

Med Pharm J

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Background: The term "self-medication" describes the practice of using pharmaceuticals to address illnesses that the patient has self-diagnosed without seeking medical advice. Self-medication and excessive drug usage have detrimental effects on the economy and public health. Objective: the objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of self-medication practices and to evaluate the current knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding self-medication among Pharmacy School students in Zawia- Libya. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on Pharmacy School students. Participants were asked to answer closed-ended questions to evaluate their knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-medication. Result: This study comprised of 254 students. The students were divided into five groups according to their grades. This research comprised of 254 students. The students were divided into five groups according to their grades. The majority of students (93.70%) utilized self-medication, and the rest of the students (6.30%) didn't use it. The majority of students (N=171, 71.84%) who self-medicated offered arguments for when going to the doctor wasn't necessary for mild ailments. Headache accounted for 183 cases (76.89%) of symptoms for which self-medication was used, followed by cough, cold, and sore throat in 157 cases (64.96%) and hyperthermia in 107 cases (44.95%). Analgesics (74.70%), and antibiotics (51.2%) were the most common self-medicated drug groups. A large percentage of students stated that they were aware of the need to read labels and package inserts and adhere to any directions that were included 199 (83.61%). Conclusion: Students at Pharmacy School have a good knowledge and great perspective on self-medication and practice the right behaviors in self-medication.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Self-Medication among Pharmacy University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Zawia, Libya

Smeda,

Almakrabi,

Hassan

et al. 2023

Med Pharm J

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“…Consistent with the above, and in line with previous social media-based work [36][37][38][39][40][41], we aimed to assess the possible impact of GLP-1 agonists on mental health in general as being perceived and discussed in popular open web platforms [42]. In carrying out these quantitative and qualitative analyses, recent advances in the use of both artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing were considered as well.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Related Mental Health Issues; Insights from a Range of Social Media Platforms Using a Mixed-Methods Approach

Arillotta,

Floresta,

Guirguis

et al. 2023

Brain Sciences

Self Cite

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The emergence of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs; semaglutide and others) now promises effective, non-invasive treatment of obesity for individuals with and without diabetes. Social media platforms’ users started promoting semaglutide/Ozempic as a weight-loss treatment, and the associated increase in demand has contributed to an ongoing worldwide shortage of the drug associated with levels of non-prescribed semaglutide intake. Furthermore, recent reports emphasized some GLP-1 RA-associated risks of triggering depression and suicidal thoughts. Consistent with the above, we aimed to assess the possible impact of GLP-1 RAs on mental health as being perceived and discussed in popular open platforms with the help of a mixed-methods approach. Reddit posts yielded 12,136 comments, YouTube videos 14,515, and TikTok videos 17,059, respectively. Out of these posts/entries, most represented matches related to sleep-related issues, including insomnia (n = 620 matches); anxiety (n = 353); depression (n = 204); and mental health issues in general (n = 165). After the initiation of GLP-1 RAs, losing weight was associated with either a marked improvement or, in some cases, a deterioration, in mood; increase/decrease in anxiety/insomnia; and better control of a range of addictive behaviors. The challenges of accessing these medications were a hot topic as well. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study documenting if and how GLP-1 RAs are perceived as affecting mood, mental health, and behaviors. Establishing a clear cause-and-effect link between metabolic diseases, depression and medications is difficult because of their possible reciprocal relationship, shared underlying mechanisms and individual differences. Further research is needed to better understand the safety profile of these molecules and their putative impact on behavioral and non-behavioral addictions.

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“…Moreover, a specific NPS may cause different psychopathological effects according to the individual vulnerability [ 49 ]. High levels of comorbidity in subjects using substances and developing SIP can usually be detected [ 67 ], and the self-medication theory has been discussed for several NPS uses, including 3-MeO-PCP, mainly to overcome symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, and depression [ 10 ]. Indeed, also the patient from this case had reported the presence of anxious-depressive symptoms during adolescence and youth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Over the last few years, this emerging phenomenon has been monitored by the authorities, and many activities have been implemented to identify and schedule NPS as law-controlled substances [ 10 ]. However, although information is regularly spread by official reports and alerts, the increasing number of available NPS and the wide structural variety make it difficult to understand their toxicological profiles and the potentially harmful physical, psychological, and social effects [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3-Methoxy-Phencyclidine Induced Psychotic Disorder: A Literature Review and an 18F-FDG PET/CT Case Report

Pepe,

Di Nicola,

Cocciolillo

et al. 2024

Pharmaceuticals

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New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are modifying the drug scenario worldwide and have become a public health concern because of their toxicological profiles and their harmful physical/psychological effects. 3-Methoxy-Phencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP), a non-competitive antagonist of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, belongs to the phencyclidine-like subfamily of arylcyclohexylamines and has gained attention for its toxic, sometimes fatal, effects. Despite several cases of intoxication and death reported in the literature, little is known about substance-induced psychotic disorders (SIP) and potential cognitive impairment following 3-MeO-PCP intake. This literature review aimed to summarize available evidence about 3-MeO-PCP mechanisms of action and physical and psychotropic effects and to spread preliminary findings about persistent psychotic symptoms and impaired cognitive functioning. Additionally, the case of an SIP is reported in a 29-year-old man with small oral intakes of 3-MeO-PCP over two weeks until a high dose ingestion. Psychometric and neuropsychological assessment and brain [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography integrated with computed tomography were used to support clinical description. Identifying and addressing the characteristic clinical features and neural substrates of NPS-induced psychoses might help clinicians with a more precise differentiation from other psychotic disorders. Although further studies are required, phenotyping the cognitive profile of NPS users might provide targets for tailored therapeutic approaches.

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No prescription? No problem: A qualitative study investigating self-medication with novel psychoactive substances (NPS)

Cited by 6 publications

References 89 publications

Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Self-Medication among Pharmacy University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Zawia, Libya

Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Self-Medication among Pharmacy University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Zawia, Libya

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Related Mental Health Issues; Insights from a Range of Social Media Platforms Using a Mixed-Methods Approach

3-Methoxy-Phencyclidine Induced Psychotic Disorder: A Literature Review and an 18F-FDG PET/CT Case Report

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