Zopiclone misuse: an update from Dublin.
The prevalence of zopiclone misuse in clients attending a methadone maintenance programme in Dublin through detection of its degradation product, 2-amino-5-chloropyridine (ACP) on urinalysis is outlined. Urine samples from all 158 clients were tested for the presence of ACP, opiates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, alcohol and cannabis. Of the 37 (23%) clients who tested positive for ACP, 23 (62%) were interviewed. A profile of zopiclone misusers is outlined, including details of demographics, drug history, viral status, recent urinalysis results and opinions on zopiclone. Of the 14 (38%) clients who were not interviewed, information was obtained from their clinical casenotes and documented urinalysis results. The prevalence of zopiclone misuse was reported as 23%. Benzodiazepines were the most popular drug of misuse with zopiclone followed by heroin/opiates. Zopiclone is being misused by drug users in Dublin in the context of many other drugs. Prescribing of zopiclone should be restricted, especially among drug misusers.
Bannan
Noreen
N
Consultant Liaison Psychiatry, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, County, Dublin, Ireland. bannann@eircom.net
Rooney
Siobhan
S
O'connor
John
J
D000328:Adult; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010879:Piperazines; D011725:Pyridines / Q000652:urine; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation
D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D009294:Narcotics; D010879:Piperazines; D011725:Pyridines; C515050:zopiclone; C108972:2-amino-5-chloropyridine; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D008691:Methadone