Authors :
Presenting Author: Jennifer Jaskiewicz, DO – Children's Colorado/Pediatric Specialists of Virginia/Children's National Medical Center
Alexis Ritvo, MD, MPH – Psychiatry – University of Colorado; Scott Demarest, MD – Neurology, Pediatric – University of Colorado; hannan Braun, MD – University of Colorado; Klie Kaylin, MD, MA – University of Colorado; Dale Terasaki, MD, MPH – University of Colorado; D. Tyler Coyle, MD, MS – University of Colorado; Stephanie Stewart, MD MPHS, FASAM – University of Colorado
Rationale:
Persons with epilepsy (PWE) are more likely to be prescribed opioids than those without epilepsy. There is a higher prevalence of substance use disorders (SUD) in PWE than those without epilepsy.
1 Among PWE, those with co-occurring SUDs have higher rates of mortality than those without SUDs.
2
Amidst the overdose epidemic,
prescribers are required to complete training regarding opioids or other SUDs to maintain their Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) license. Opioids are not the only medications with a risk for physical dependence, misuse, and addiction potential. Many antiseizure medications (ASM) are controlled substances. These ASMs, especially benzodiazepines (BZs), increase risk of death when used in conjunction with opioids. Other negative health outcomes have also been attributed to prolonged BZ use, including BZ-induced neurological dysfunction [3].
Methods:
Participants (n=19) affiliated with the University of Colorado School of Medicine completed an internet survey and were tested on ability to correctly identify specific ASMs as controlled substances. Participants were queried as to whether they counsel patients/caregivers as to potential ASM side effects and had received adequate training regarding this subject. Data were analyzed in SPSS.
Results: The majority of participants (71%) reported a training gap regarding the addiction potential of ASMs. Respondents were significantly more likely to accurately identify BZs compared to non-controlled substances (p< .001,