Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33441070›Full record

SynthesisCurrent neuropharmacology2021

The Benzydamine Experience: A Systematic Review of Benzydamine Abuse.

Stefania Chiappini, Andrea Miuli, Alessio Mosca, Mauro Pettorruso, Amira Guirguis, Martin Corkery John, Giovanni Martinotti, Massimo Di Giannantonio, Fabrizio Schifano

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Current neuropharmacology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Review
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Stefania ChiappiniPsychopharmacology, Drug Misuse & Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.
Andrea MiuliDepartment of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Universita degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
Alessio MoscaDepartment of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Universita degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
Mauro PettorrusoDepartment of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Universita degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
Amira GuirguisSwansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.
Martin Corkery JohnPsychopharmacology, Drug Misuse & Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.
Giovanni MartinottiDepartment of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Universita degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
Massimo Di GiannantonioDepartment of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Universita degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
Fabrizio SchifanoPsychopharmacology, Drug Misuse & Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBoth 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.

objectiveThe 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.

methodsWe 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.

resultsEleven 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.

conclusionResults 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.

Indexed as

BenzydaminePsychotic DisordersAnti-Inflammatory AgentsHumansRetrospective StudiesAnti-Inflammatory AgentsBenzydamineBenzydaminebenzydamine misusenovel psychoactive substances.NPSover-the-counter drug abuse

Identifiers

PMID33441070
PMCPMC8977632

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.