Abuse deterrence

Definition

Abuse deterrence refers to the formulation strategies used in drug development to reduce the potential for misuse and abuse of medications, particularly opioids. These strategies can include physical and chemical barriers, agonist/antagonist combinations, aversion techniques, and prodrug approaches.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) are designed to make it difficult to manipulate drugs for abuse, such as crushing or dissolving tablets.
2. Physical barriers in ADFs prevent chewing or crushing, making it harder to snort or inject the medication.
3. Chemical barriers in ADFs can cause the drug to gel when dissolved in liquid, preventing injection.
4. Agonist/antagonist combinations in ADFs work by including substances that counteract the effects of the opioid if tampered with.
5. The FDA supports the development and use of ADFs as part of a comprehensive approach to combating opioid misuse.

Review Questions

• What are two primary types of barriers used in abuse-deterrent formulations?
• How do agonist/antagonist combinations help deter drug abuse?
• Why does the FDA support the use of abuse-deterrent formulations?

Related terms

Opioid Antagonists:

Drugs that block opioid receptors and reverse or prevent opioid effects.

Naloxone:

A medication used to rapidly reverse opioid overdose.

Methadone:

A long-acting opioid used for pain management and as part of addiction treatment programs.