Melitracen and flupentixol (deanxit) use disorder in Lebanon

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Tharwat El Zahran, Emory University; Sally Al Hassan, American University of Beirut Medical Center; Malak Khalifeh, Stony Brook Medicine; Diana Aboukhater, American University of Beirut Medical Center; Lina Hammoud, American University of Beirut Medical Center; Moustafa Al Hariri, American University of Beirut Medical Center; Ziad Kazzi, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-05-01
• Publisher: Elsevier Inc.
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15847
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Heliyon
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 5
• Start Page: e15847
• End Page: e15847
• Grant/Funding Information: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
• Keywords: Withdrawal; Flupentixol; Dependence; Substance use disorder; Deanxit; Melitracen
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Deanxit is a combination of melitracen and flupentixol, not approved as an antidepressant for sale and use in several countries but still widely available and commonly used among the Lebanese population. The study aimed to assess Deanxit use disorder, assess the source of the medication, and the consumers’ awareness of the therapeutic and side effects of Deanxit, among the Lebanese population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that included all patients taking Deanxit and visited the Emergency Department between October 2019 and October 2020. All patients who agreed to participate in the research through written consent forms were contacted by telephone and a questionnaire was filled out. Results: A total of 125 patients taking Deanxit were included in the study. According to the DSM-V criteria, 36% (n = 45) had a Deanxit use disorder. Most of the participants were females (n = 99, 79.2%), married (n = 90, 72%), and between the ages of 40–65 years (n = 71, 56.8%). Most patients (n = 41, 91%) had Deanxit prescribed by a physician for anxiety (n = 28, 62%), and obtained it using a prescription (n = 41, 91%). Almost half of all patients (n = 60, 48%) did not have sufficient knowledge of the reason it was prescribed, 54.4% (n = 68) were not sure they are taking the medication appropriately, and 19.2% (n = 23) were satisfied by the overall explanation of the physicians concerning Deanxit use. Conclusion: Deanxit use disorder is underrecognized among Lebanese patients. Most of our patients were prescribed Deanxit by their physicians but reported inadequate knowledge of its side effects and risk of abuse.