Opioid Use
Conditions
Keywords
Leftover opioids, Unused opioids, Safe prescription opioid disposal, Drug disposal
Brief summary
This study evaluates two interventions intended to increase the safe disposal of leftover prescription opioids, compared to no intervention. Participants will receive an informational sheet describing how to safely dispose of leftover prescription opioids, an informational sheet with a drug disposal kit, or no intervention. Participants will be randomized by day for pragmatic reasons.
Detailed description
Many persons who receive a prescription for opioids report having leftover opioids once the prescription is finished. Leftover prescription opioids serve as a reservoir of products for misuse, given 90% of people who misuse prescription opioids report obtaining the opioids from a friend, family member, or a legitimate prescription. The best way to increase the rate of safe disposal of leftover opioids is unclear. The present study will generate evidence comparing how well a drug disposal system compares with providing an informational handout on properly disposing of leftover prescription opioids. Participants will be randomized by day to one of two disposal interventions or no disposal intervention. Disposal interventions include a drug disposal kit or an informational sheet describing how to safely dispose of leftover prescription opioids. Storage and disposal characteristics for leftover prescription opioids will be measured using standardized telephone calls with participants at 3 weeks after filling the opioid prescription. If therapy is not concluded at 3 weeks or participants are not available, then a second standardized telephone call with participants will take place at 6 weeks after filling the opioid prescription.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALInformational Sheet
The informational sheet details how use opioid medicines safely, and lists ways to properly dispose of leftover opioids
BEHAVIORALDisposeRx Drug Disposal kit
DisposeRx is a powder that is activated with water and traps leftover drugs (i.e. pills, capsules, caplets, liquids or tablets) in a semi-solid gel. The trapped drug cannot be retrieved from the resulting gel material for misuse, abuse or to leach into landfills. The participant can then throw away the biodegradable solid material in the prescription bottle into the trash, as it is safe for the environment.
Sponsors
Johns Hopkins University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Outcome assessors are unaware of treatment assignment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Adult participants (age ≥ 18 years) who pick up a prescription for themselves or a family member at a Johns Hopkins pharmacy * English speaking * Residential address and phone number in the United States * Filling a new prescription consisting of an immediate release opioid medication (i.e., immediate release morphine, oxycodone, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, tramadol; alone or in combination with acetaminophen) with ≤ 7 days' supply
Exclusion criteria
* Age \< 18 years * Non-English speaking * Residential address and/or phone number outside the United States * Opioid medication listed in participant's active medication list prior to prescription fill * Filling any prescription consisting of any opioid with 8 or more days' supply * Filling any prescription consisting of any extended-release / long-acting opioid medication (i.e., extended-release morphine, oxymorphone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl, methadone, buprenorphine) * Filling an opioid prescription indicated for cough or shortness of breath
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants using a safe drug disposal method for leftover prescription opioids | Up to 6 weeks after prescription fill | Participants who report yes to disposing of leftover prescription opioid medication using a disposal intervention that aligns with recommendations from the Food and Drug Administration (i.e., using a take-back program, drug disposal kit, or flushing in the toilet) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants using any drug disposal method for leftover prescription opioids | Up to 6 weeks after prescription fill | Participants who report yes to disposing of leftover prescription opioid medication using any method |
| Number of participants with safe storage of prescription opioids | Up to 6 weeks after prescription fill | Participants who report yes to safely storing prescription opioid medication (i.e., in a locked location) |
| Number of participants who completed prescription opioid therapy | Up to 6 weeks after prescription fill | Participants who report yes to completing therapy for prescription opioid medication |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed