The Benzydamine Experience: A Systematic Review of Benzydamine Abuse

Title:The Benzydamine Experience: A Systematic Review of Benzydamine Abuse

Volume: 19 Issue: 10

Author(s): Stefania Chiappini, Andrea Miuli, Alessio Mosca, Mauro Pettorruso, Amira Guirguis, Martin Corkery John, Giovanni Martinotti, Massimo Di Giannantonio and Fabrizio Schifano*

Affiliation:

• Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse & Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire,United Kingdom

Keywords: Benzydamine, benzydamine misuse, over-the-counter drug abuse, NPS, novel psychoactive substances.

Abstract:

Background: Both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs recently emerged among novel psychoactive substances (NPS) being reported as ingested for recreational purposes. Among them, benzydamine (BZY), normally prescribed as an OTC anti-inflammatory drug, is reportedly being diverted and recreationally used.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate how the misuse of BZY has been reported, illustrating its psychotropic molecular mechanism, and studying its psychopathological effects.

Methods: We firstly conducted a systematic review of the literature concerning the abuse of BZY and its effects. For data gathering purposes, both PRISMA and PROSPERO guidelines were followed. All research methods were approved by PROSPERO (identification code CRD42020187266). Second, we analysed BZY-related data from the European Monitoring Agency (EMA) Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) database recorded during 2005-2020 regarding its abuse.

Results: Eleven articles, published during 1997-2019, were included in our systematic review, including five case reports, four surveys, and two retrospective case series analyses. While nine articles dealt with the recreational use of BZY, two described an oral overdose of the drug. When specified, dosages of BZY consumed ranged from 500 to 1500mg. The EMA dataset contained three cases of BZY abuse.

Conclusion: Results from the systematic review showed BZY might be diverted for typical hallucinogenic properties occurring at high dosages. Healthcare professionals should be warned about a possible misuse/abuse of a commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory drug and be vigilant when prescribing it. Physicians working in emergency units should know that psychotic symptoms may be related to BZY abuse.

Cite this article as:

Chiappini Stefania, Miuli Andrea, Mosca Alessio, Pettorruso Mauro, Guirguis Amira, Corkery John Martin, Martinotti Giovanni, Di Giannantonio Massimo and Schifano Fabrizio*, The Benzydamine Experience: A Systematic Review of Benzydamine Abuse, Current Neuropharmacology 2021; 19 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X19666210113151136