JIST

Abstract

Ever since the information technology revolution hit Indiain a big way, substance abuse has been rising in incidence by leaps and bounds, mainly because of the ease with which such substances can be procured through the Internet. There has been a significant shift from conventional drugs of abuse such as cannabis and heroin to newer drugs such as designer amphetamines, phencyclidine, and ketamine.

But because these drugs are covered by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, there has been a recent trend towards abuse of pharmaceutical agents such as pentazocine, propoxyphene and buprenorphine. Spasmo-Proxyvon® is a popular brand of antispasmodic from Wockhardt which contains paracetamol (acetaminophen), dicyclomine, and dextropropoxyphene. This combined drug formulation sold as gelatin capsules is easily available, and is increasingly being abused for its opioid effect. A few cases of such addiction resulting in death are being reported.