Ingestions of Hydrocodone, Carisoprodol, and Alprazolam in Combination Reported to Texas Poison Centers

ABSTRACT

The combination of hydrocodone, carisoprodol, and alprazolam is subject to abuse. Ingestions of this drug combination reported to Texas poison centers during 1998–2009 were identified (totaling 1,295 cases) and the distribution of ingestions by selected factors was determined. The number of cases increased from 0 in 1998 to 200 in 2007, and then decreased to 132 in 2009. The counties in eastern and southeastern Texas accounted for 80.9% of the cases. Of the patients, 57.3% were women and 94.6% were age 20 or older. Suspected attempted suicide accounted for 59.3% of the cases and intentional misuse or abuse for 27.3%.

KEYWORDS:

• Alprazolam
• carisoprodol
• hydrocodone
• poison center

Acknowledgments

Funding for this research was provided by a contract with the Commission on State Emergency Communications in Texas. The author would like to thank the staff of the six poison control centers of the Texas Poison Center Network (Central Texas Poison Center, North Texas Poison Center, Texas Panhandle Poison Center, South Texas Poison Center, Southeast Texas Poison Center, West Texas Regional Poison Center) who collected the data.