Olanzapine as the ideal "trip terminator"? Analysis of online reports relating to antipsychotics' use and misuse following occurrence of novel psychoactive substance‐related psychotic symptoms. (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Valeriani, Giuseppe; Corazza, Ornella; Bersani, Francesco Saverio; Melcore, Claudia; Metastasio, Antonio; Bersani, Giuseppe; Schifano, Fabrizio
• Is Part Of: Human psychopharmacology. Volume 30:Number 4(2015)
• Page Start: 249
• Page End: 254
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotropic drugs -- Periodicals; Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotropic Drugs -- pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.78
• DOI: 10.1002/hup.2431
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-6222

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="hup2431-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>The pharmacological self‐management of novel psychoactive substance (NPS)‐induced psychopathological consequences represents a fast growing phenomenon. This is facilitated by the frequent sharing of NPS intake experiences online and by the ease of access to a range of psychotropic medications from both the online and street market. Olanzapine is anecdotally reported by Web users to be the most frequent self‐prescribed medication to cope with NPS‐induced psychoses. Hence, we aimed here at better assessing olanzapine use/misuse for this purpose.</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2431-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Exploratory qualitative searches of 163 discussion fora/specialized websites have been carried out in four languages (English, German, Spanish, and Italian) in the time frame November 2012–2013.</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2431-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Most NPS‐users allegedly self administer with olanzapine to manage related psychotic crises/"bad trips". This may be typically taken only for a few days, at a dosage range of 5–50 mg/day.</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2431-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Only a few research studies have formally assessed the effectiveness of olanzapine and indeed of other second‐generation antipsychotics to treat NPS‐induced psychosis. Olanzapine was suggested here from a range of pro drug websites as being the "ideal" molecule to terminate "bad trips". Health professionals should be informed about the risks related to olanzapine misuse. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>