Aberrant drug-related behavior observed during clinical studies involving patients taking chronic opioid therapy for persistent pain and fentanyl buccal tablet for breakthrough pain.
BACKGROUND
Information on aberrant drug-related behaviors in the clinical study setting is limited.


OBJECTIVE
This retrospective analysis was designed to identify the types and frequency of aberrant drug-related behaviors (including misuse and abuse) and associated patient characteristics in opioid-tolerant patients with chronic pain.


METHODS
Data from opioid-tolerant patients participating in clinical studies of fentanyl buccal tablet (FBT) for breakthrough pain (up to 18 months of clinical study case-report forms) were retrospectively reviewed and coded for abuse, overdose, and aberrant behavior. Aberrant behaviors were categorized as those involving FBT (overuse, lost or stolen study drug) and those not involving FBT (patients seeking prescriptions from other sources, not returning for follow-up).


RESULTS
Of the 1,160 patients evaluated, 10 (<1%) patients had an abuse-related event, 18 (<2%) had a positive urine drug screening (nonprescribed drug or illicit substance), and 12 (1%) had an event consistent with opioid overdose; 124 (11%) had aberrant behaviors related to FBT, and 68 (6%) had aberrant behaviors that were not. Aberrant behaviors were more frequent in men (odds ratio [OR]: 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1, 2.1; P<0.01), in patients 42 years or younger (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.6, 4.0; P<0.01), and in patients 43 years to 49 years (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.1; P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of drug abuse events and aberrant drug-related behaviors was relatively low, probably because of the implementation of universal precautions and the controlled clinical study setting. Even in this setting, events occurred, highlighting the limits of screening and the need for ongoing monitoring of aberrant behavior.
Passik
Steven D
SD
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.
Messina
John
J
Cephalon, Inc., Frazer, Pennsylvania, USA.
Golsorkhi
Anthony
A
Cephalon, Inc., Frazer, Pennsylvania, USA.
Xie
Fang
F
Cephalon, Inc., Frazer, Pennsylvania, USA.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D059390:Breakthrough Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015984:Causality; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D038622:Internationality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013607:Tablets; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D013607:Tablets; D005283:Fentanyl