From signal to alert: A cluster of exposures to counterfeit alprazolam tablets containing five novel benzodiazepines

Rebekka Syrjanen; Jennifer Schumann; Sarah E Hodgson; Rachelle Abouchedid; Joe-Anthony Rotella; Andis Graudins; Shaun L Greene

doi:10.1111/1742-6723.14108

From signal to alert: A cluster of exposures to counterfeit alprazolam tablets containing five novel benzodiazepines

Emerg Med Australas. 2023 Feb;35(1):165-167. doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.14108. Epub 2022 Oct 22.

Authors

Rebekka Syrjanen^{1

2

3

4}, Jennifer Schumann^{1

4

5}, Sarah E Hodgson^{3

6}, Rachelle Abouchedid^{3

7}, Joe-Anthony Rotella^{3

8

9}, Andis Graudins^{10

11}, Shaun L Greene^{3

6

8}

Affiliations

¹ Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
² Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
³ Victorian Poisons Information Centre, Austin Hospital, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ Department of Toxicology, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁵ Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁶ Emergency Department, Austin Hospital, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁷ Emergency Department, Bendigo Hospital, Bendigo Health, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
⁸ Department of Critical Care, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁹ Emergency Department, The Northern Hospital, Northern Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
¹⁰ Emergency Department, Dandenong Hospital, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
¹¹ Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Facility of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

PMID: 36271800
DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.14108

Abstract

Objective: To illustrate the toxicosurveillance role of the Emerging Drugs Network of Australia - Victoria (EDNAV) project in informing timely harm minimisation interventions.

Methods: Utilisation of an ethics approved clinical registry storing de-identified clinical and analytical data on Victorian ED illicit drug-related presentations.

Results: In April 2022, six adults presented to hospital with varying levels of sedation, following the use of counterfeit benzodiazepines. Comprehensive toxicological analysis identified five separate novel benzodiazepines within blood samples from each patient. A public 'Drug Alert' was subsequently issued, and local emergency physicians were notified.

Conclusion: Toxicosurveillance projects, such as EDNAV, are critical to the continued monitoring and reporting of illicit substance use in the community.

Keywords: early warning system; novel benzodiazepines; novel psychoactive substances; toxicosurveillance.

MeSH terms

Adult
Alprazolam
Benzodiazepines*
Humans
Substance-Related Disorders*
Tablets
Victoria

Substances

Benzodiazepines
Alprazolam
Tablets

Abstract

MeSH terms

Substances

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