Aug 2024 Telemedicine Improvements After Epidemics Collide
Telemedicine, or telehealth, utilizes telecommunication technologies through audio or audio/visual, real-time, two-way communication to provide clinic...
Synthetic cannabinoids are intended to mimic the effects of marijuana however, they can be much more potent and cause adverse health effects.
These substances typically cause stimulant effects, with some also causing severe psychosis. More recently, non-cathinone stimulants have been introduced, with analogs of amphetamines, methylphenidate and phendimetrazine being detected.
These substances are much more potent than morphine and many are more potent than illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF). Fentanyl analogs have been the most detected substances over the last decade but, most recently, more new nitazene analogs have been introduced than new fentanyl analogs.
Designer benzodiazepines are intended to mimic the effects of prescription benzodiazepines, while evading drug regulation or traditional drug testing methods. They are often formulated as counterfeit versions of common prescription benzodiazepines.
Most hallucinogens and dissociatives are intended to produce mind-altering effects or to enhance thoughts, emotions, or senses. In some cases, they can lead to erratic or dangerous behaviors.
Other substances of concern include tianeptine, phenibut, xylazine, and medetomidine. Tianeptine and phenibut are sold as supplements and are used to blunt the effects of opioid withdrawal or anxiety, respectively. Xylazine and medetomidine are often adulterants in illicit opioid formulations intended to increase the effects of opioids. These two substances, which produce CNS depression, are not opioids and therefore do not respond to naloxone reversal.
Individuals seeking treatment for OUD/SUD often encounter illicitly manufactured substances within the drug supply either knowingly or unknowingly.
NPS markets rapidly change in response to regulation from US and international agencies.
NPS may cause or worsen existing drug interactions with prescription medications, leading to unintended overdoses.
Synthetic and illicitly manufactured drugs are a major driver of increased overdose deaths in the US.
Halie L. Ory, MAPS, PA-C, Psychiatry CAQ
Resource Management Services
Lake Charles, LA
Aegis stays on the forefront in maintaining testing for surveillance of new, high-risk substances.
Detection of rapidly changing synthetic drugs in at-risk populations requires responsible utilization of enhanced, definitive testing. Aegis’s NPS testing menu is reviewed regularly to add and drop analytes to maintain clinical relevance and cost-effectiveness.
To stay current with the rapidly changing landscape of new and emerging drugs, Aegis has committed to bi-annual NPS test menu updates to include the tier one and tier two recommendations established collaboratively by the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) and the Society of Forensic Toxicologist (SOFT) NPS Committee.
On May 20, 2024, the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education (CFSRE), a leading organization within the United States that performs and publishes research related to substance use trends and novel psychoactive substance (NPS) detection, distributed an alert regarding proliferation of medetomidine in multiple parts of the country.
Telemedicine, or telehealth, utilizes telecommunication technologies through audio or audio/visual, real-time, two-way communication to provide clinic...
Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993 for the treatment of epilepsy, and i...
On May 30, 2024, The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education (CFSRE) published an alert regarding 2F-2oxo-PCE......