Citation

Lottner-Nau S, Övgüer B, Paul LD, Graw M, Sachs H, Roider G. Toxichem Krimtech 2013; 80(Spec Iss): 339-342.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Gesellschaft für Toxikologische und Forensische Chemie)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Aims: Pregabalin is a prescription drug for the treatment of neuropathic pain, partial epilepsy and generalized anxiety disorder. In the last years, a misuse of pregabalin has been reported in Germany. In the USA, pregabalin is listed as a substance with potential abuse. In order to monitor a potentially increasing abuse of pregabalin, it was decided to analyze routinely for pregabalin in postmortem toxicology.

METHODS: Femoral blood was used for toxicological analysis. In two cases femoral blood could not be collected and heart blood was analyzed instead. After protein precipitation with acetonitrile, the supernatant was processed and then analyzed with LC-MS/MS at the FTC.

RESULTS and Discussion: Pregabalin was detected in 43 of 982 cases (4.4%) within two years. The concentration range was between 0.04 mg/L and 23.8 mg/L. The median of the concen- tration of pregabalin was 5.18 mg/L. Illicit and licit drugs, mostly opiates/opioids, benzo- diazepines and antidepressants, were additionally detected in each case. In the first year, pre- gabalin was found in 10 of 489 cases (2.0%). In the second year, the number of cases with pregabalin increased to 33 of 493 cases (6.7%). In the subgroup of drug-dependant indivi- duals the percentage was 5.5% (4 of 72 cases) in the first year and 29.8% (26 of 87 cases) in the second year.

CONCLUSION: There is an abuse of pregabalin especially by drug-dependant individuals. An in- creasing abuse of pregabalin is to be expected for the next years.

Language: en