International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Open Access

Abstract

Carisoprodol Abuse a Re-emerging Issue: Perspective from Drug Rehabilitation in the UAE

Abuelgasim Elrasheed*, Simon Elliott, Ahmed Yousif and Samya Al Mamari

Toxicological monitoring at the National Rehabilitation Center (NRC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for drug addiction prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of both inpatients and outpatients, has highlighted an increase in the use of carisoprodol and/or its metabolite, meprobamate. Due to their status as more historic drugs of abuse and reductions in their prescribing/marketing authorisation, neither substance is often included in routine drug screening. These data from routine analysis over a prolonged period therefore provide new and important information to support international concerns around a re-emergence of these substances as drugs of abuse. Furthermore, the toxicity risks of their reported abuse context with concomitant use of other central nervous system depressant drugs (such as benzodiazepines and opioids), demonstrate a need for toxicology laboratories and investigators to be aware of the potential involvement of carisoprodol and meprobamate in clinical and forensic casework. This article provides a toxicological perspective within a substance-using patient population in the Middle East to better inform global monitoring of drug abuse and advise professionals accordingly.

Published Date: 2024-06-21; Received Date: 2024-05-16