F. Kakhanovskyi; O. Posilskyi

Summary

A distinctive feature of the current drug trafficking is the expansion of their range, as numerous legal medicines (opioids, opioid analgesics) of side effects (narcotic, psychotropic) appear when used in large doses. In addition, their number increases in the form of illegal turnover.

Opioids are a class of drugs of different chemical structure. In opioid analgesics are usually understood all natural and semi-synthetic derivatives of alkaloids, as well as synthetic drugs simulating the effect of morphine.

Recently, cases of non-medical use of drugs of such opioids as nalbuphine, naloxone, and also pregabalin have become more frequent.

Quite recently a new drug of Pfizer Company – pregabalin (LYRICA) has been registered in the USA and Europe. This drug is a continuation of the development of specific drugs that act independently of the etymology of the central and peripheral mechanisms of neuropathic pain and provide high efficiency of relief of neuropathic pain syndrome.

The main purpose of this article is to raise the awareness of investigators, experts about the possibility of using certain medicines for non-medical purposes.