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Article

Exploring Human Misuse and Abuse of Veterinary Drugs: A Descriptive Pharmacovigilance Analysis Utilising the Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS)

by
Josie Dunn
1,
Fabrizio Schifano
2,
Ed Dudley
1 and
Amira Guirguis
1,*
1
Medical School, The Grove, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Wales SA2 8PP, UK
2
Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Toxics 2024, 12(11), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12110777
Submission received: 2 September 2024 / Revised: 22 October 2024 / Accepted: 23 October 2024 / Published: 25 October 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Identification of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs)

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence suggests an increasing misuse of veterinary medicines by humans. This study aims to analyse Adverse Events (AEs) associated with selected veterinary products using the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS). Methods: A descriptive pharmacovigilance analysis was conducted on AEs related to 21 drugs approved for human and/or animal use. Results: A total of 38,756 AEs, including 9566 fatalities, were identified. The United States reported the highest number of cases (13,532), followed by Canada (2869) and the United Kingdom (1400). Among the eight drugs licenced exclusively for animals, levamisole, pentobarbital, and xylazine were most frequently reported. Reports predominantly involved males (57%) from the 18–64 age group, with incidents related mainly to overdose, dependence, and multi-agent toxicities. Unmasking techniques revealed ‘intentional overdose’ as the primary reaction. Polysubstance use was evident in 90% of the drugs, with benzodiazepines/Z-drugs and opioids as common co-used classes. Conclusions: Veterinary medications are increasingly infiltrating the illicit drug market due to their pharmacological properties. This trend highlights the need for heightened vigilance and awareness to prevent further public health risks associated with the adulteration of illicit substances with veterinary products like xylazine and pentobarbital.
Keywords: veterinary medicines; animal medicines; substance use; pharmacovigilance; diversion of medicines; drug misuse veterinary medicines; animal medicines; substance use; pharmacovigilance; diversion of medicines; drug misuse

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MDPI and ACS Style

Dunn, J.; Schifano, F.; Dudley, E.; Guirguis, A. Exploring Human Misuse and Abuse of Veterinary Drugs: A Descriptive Pharmacovigilance Analysis Utilising the Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS). Toxics 2024, 12, 777. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12110777

AMA Style

Dunn J, Schifano F, Dudley E, Guirguis A. Exploring Human Misuse and Abuse of Veterinary Drugs: A Descriptive Pharmacovigilance Analysis Utilising the Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS). Toxics. 2024; 12(11):777. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12110777

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dunn, Josie, Fabrizio Schifano, Ed Dudley, and Amira Guirguis. 2024. "Exploring Human Misuse and Abuse of Veterinary Drugs: A Descriptive Pharmacovigilance Analysis Utilising the Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS)" Toxics 12, no. 11: 777. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12110777

APA Style

Dunn, J., Schifano, F., Dudley, E., & Guirguis, A. (2024). Exploring Human Misuse and Abuse of Veterinary Drugs: A Descriptive Pharmacovigilance Analysis Utilising the Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS). Toxics, 12(11), 777. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12110777

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