[Centrally acting muscle relaxants and traffic hazards].
BACKGROUND
An increasing number of the centrally acting muscle relaxants were withdrawn from the Norwegian market during the 1988-98 period. The only drug in this group now marketed in Norway is carisoprodol. The National Institute of Forensic Toxicology in Norway analyses all blood samples from suspected drugged drivers. In later years there has been a marked increase in the number of blood samples testing positive for carisoprodol or meprobamate (the major metabolite).


METHODS
480 cases testing positive for central muscle relaxants in the years 1984-1998 were further studied.


RESULTS
Compared with blood samples positive primarily for benzodiazepines, there were more women in the group (39% vs. 15%), and fewer drugs and less alcohol were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
The positive samples may indicate misuse or abuse due to the fact that high drug concentrations and concomitant use of benzodiazepines were frequent. This knowledge should have implications for doctors prescribing centrally acting muscle relaxants.
Bramness
J G
JG
Statens rettstoksikologiske institutt, Oslo.
Skurtveit
S
S
Grung
M
M
Mørland
J
J
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002328:Carisoprodol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D009664:Norway; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood
D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D002328:Carisoprodol