1/4. Unusual presentations for pharmacotherapy-poppy seed dependence.Two cases of patients presenting with opioid dependence who maintained their dependence with poppy tea are described. There appears to have been an increase in this practice in some groups, although dependent use is uncommon. These cases illustrate significant levels of dependence on a licit, and readily available, source of opiates requiring high doses of pharmacotherapy that match those typically required by individuals who are treated for heroin dependence.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = tea (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. Abuse of prescription buprenorphine, regulatory controls and the role of the primary physician.INTRODUCTION: buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist approved in several countries for the treatment of opioid dependence. It was approved in singapore in 2002 for this indication, and is more widely available in the primary care setting and can be prescribed by all licensed physicians who have undergone designated training. There is limited literature addressing the risk of its illicit abuse via intravenous self-administration. CLINICAL PICTURE: We report 2 such cases of the abuse of prescription buprenorphine in the psychiatric consultation-liaison service of a general teaching hospital, the treatment approaches and outcomes. CONCLUSION: We also briefly review the indications, uses and abuses of buprenorphine in singapore, and as reported in other countries, and the roles of primary care physicians, in order to stimulate greater awareness and understanding among specialists and general practitioners, who would encounter these patients in various settings.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = tea (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. Electron microscopic identity of talc in the liver of a narcotic addict.In this report we identify the ultrastructural correlate of birefringent crystals that we found in biopsy specimens from an intravenous drug addict and that were presumed to be talc. By electron microscopy the crystals were electron dense and elongated with sharp edges and had an apparent lamination. The crystals were found within portal or granuloma macrophages and were often displaced or associated with section tears and knife marks. Weak electron diffraction patterns were obtained that were consistent with talc.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = tea (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. Poppy tea dependence.A patient presenting with dependence on opium poppy tea infusion is reported. Poppy tea drinking, although previously described in certain parts of the UK, rarely presents in the form of a dependence syndrome. Issues relating to the management of poppy tea dependence are discussed, including the results of existing laboratory urinalysis for drugs of abuse, the calculation of opiate dose equivalence, and the likelihood of transition (or not) from use of poppy tea to use of other opiates.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 8keywords = tea (Clic here for more details about this article) |