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Tapentadol dependence through intravenous injection (‘shooting’) of crushed tablets associated with cutaneous pseudoallergic reactions
  1. Vijaya Chandra Reddy Avula,
  2. Sreeja S Vullanki and
  3. Shashidhara Munivenkatappa
  1. Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalagiri, India
  1. Correspondence to Dr Sreeja S Vullanki; sreeja.vullanki{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Tapentadol is a synthetic opioid analgesic with a low risk of abuse and diversion. The rising trend of abuse of tapentadol is largely attributable to its intrinsic pharmacological profile and easy availability due to poor regulatory control. We report a case of intravenous injection of crushed tapentadol tablets that presented with cutaneous adverse drug reactions. Cutaneous adverse reactions are common in injection drug abuse, and clinical examination is a must to inspect the injection sites. Stringent regulatory measures are required to restrict the increasing abuse of tapentadol in India.

  • Unwanted effects / adverse reactions
  • Drugs misuse (including addiction)

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Footnotes

  • Contributors The following authors were responsible for drafting of the text, sourcing and editing of clinical images, investigation results, drawing original diagrams and algorithms, and critical revision for important intellectual content: VCRA, SSV and SM. The following authors gave final approval of the manuscript: VCRA and SM.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.