Introduction - Uppsala Monitoring Centre

diethylstilboestrol
Group 2. a) Probable carcinogenic to humans, e.g. chloramphenicol,
urethane and Phenacetin.
b) Possible carcinogenic to humans, e.g. antimony trioxide,
chloroform, dantron, phenobarbital and phenolphthalein
Group 3. Unclassifiable, e.g. antimony trisulphide, chloral hydrate, mercury
and its inorganic compounds, oxyphenbutazone and
phenylbutazone.
Group 4. Probably not carcinogenic to humans. None
Carcinogenicity accounts for 6% of worldwide withdrawals (Smith &
O’Donnell, 2006).
There were 165 chemicals ‘known not to be teratogenic in man’, but only 28%
were negative in all species tested and 41% were positive in more than one animal
species (Lasagna, 1990).
Dependence (habituation, abuse, addiction):opium, morphine, henbane,
phenobarbitone, glutethimide, chloroform, chloral hydrate, datura stramonium,
arsenate sodium and ethchlorvynol.
These terms have come into use over the last 50 years and may be used
differently. The word ’habituation’ was used by Lewin in the context ‘even in chloral
drinkers’ causes no habituation to the effects of the drug.’ ‘Addiction’, a term used by
Lewin in 1881, implies physiologic and somatic withdrawal symptoms whilst in
habituation the withdrawal symptoms are psychological (Cohen, 1960). In 1957,
while not explicitly saying that ‘drug abuse’ was synonymous with ‘addiction’, the
committee first attempted to clarify existing definitions of addiction and habituation
as had been in common parlance since at least 1931.
Drug addiction is a state of periodic or chronic intoxication produced by the
repeated consumption of a drug (natural or synthetic). Its characteristics include: (i)
an overpowering desire or need (compulsion) to continue taking the drug and to
obtain it by any means; (ii) a tendency to increase the dose; (iii) a psychic
(psychological) and generally a physical dependence on the effects of the drug; and
(iv) detrimental effects on the individual and on society. Drug habituation (habit) is a
condition resulting from the repeated consumption of a drug. Its characteristics
include (i) a desire (but not a compulsion) to continue taking the drug for the sense
of improved well-being which it engenders; (ii) little or no tendency to increase the
dose; (iii) some degree of psychic dependence on the effect of the drug, but
absence of physical dependence and hence of an abstinence syndrome
[withdrawal], and (iv) detrimental effects, if any, primarily on the individual. In 1964, a
new WHO committee found these definitions to be inadequate, and suggested using
the blanket term ‘drug dependence’. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_addiction).
Accessed 5th June 2008. There are several animal tests for abuse potential.
Addiction is a noun which was first used in 1906 in reference to opium, but it was