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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Pregabalin and gabapentin abuse among university students in Jordan: A cross sectional study
1
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JORDAN
2
Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, JORDAN
3
Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, JORDAN
4
Department of Microbiology, Pathology, and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, JORDAN
5
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA
6
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JORDAN
Online publication date: 2023-12-14
Publication date: 2024-01-01
Electron J Gen Med 2024;21(1):em561
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Pregabalin and gabapentin (or gabapentanoids) have been reported to be abused for potentially euphoric effects.
Objectives:
In this work, we conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study among university students from Jordan utilizing a structured online questionnaire.
Results:
96.1% of the participants indicated no previous or current use of gabapentanoids, while 53 (3.9%) selfreported previous or current use (ever-use) of any of both drugs. The rate of abuse was higher among males and older students’ groups. 50.9% of drug users did not obtain a valid prescription. Most abusers indicated that their use of both drugs was for non-medical reasons (39.6%), and 69.8% students used both drugs despite being aware of their adverse effects. Hypersomnia was the most reported adverse effect. However, most participants (64.2%) did not report any withdrawal symptoms upon drug discontinuation. Marijuana/hashish was the most consumed substance with gabapentanoids.
Conclusions:
Our results invite for further prescribed drug control and increasing the awareness against drug abuse among the youth in Jordan.
Pregabalin and gabapentin (or gabapentanoids) have been reported to be abused for potentially euphoric effects.
Objectives:
In this work, we conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study among university students from Jordan utilizing a structured online questionnaire.
Results:
96.1% of the participants indicated no previous or current use of gabapentanoids, while 53 (3.9%) selfreported previous or current use (ever-use) of any of both drugs. The rate of abuse was higher among males and older students’ groups. 50.9% of drug users did not obtain a valid prescription. Most abusers indicated that their use of both drugs was for non-medical reasons (39.6%), and 69.8% students used both drugs despite being aware of their adverse effects. Hypersomnia was the most reported adverse effect. However, most participants (64.2%) did not report any withdrawal symptoms upon drug discontinuation. Marijuana/hashish was the most consumed substance with gabapentanoids.
Conclusions:
Our results invite for further prescribed drug control and increasing the awareness against drug abuse among the youth in Jordan.
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