Posts Tagged Michael Jackson

Records of Demerol Treatment for Jackson Investigated

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Prescription Drug Abuse on March 25th, 2011

More than a year after music icon Michael Jackson’s death, authorities have yet to establish the main cause of his his passing.

In Los Angeles, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor will decide whether records from Jackson’s previous dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, should be turned over to the defense lawyers of Dr. Conrad Murray who has pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charged before him upon Jackson’s death.

Conrad MurrayAttorneys for the defense have argued that the singer was addicted to powerful painkillers, a habit that his previous doctor might have brought upon the legendary singer. They also theorized that Jackson was having difficulty with the withdrawal symptoms from said painkillers in the few weeks before he died. The only way the defense could prove this is through the records of Dr. Klein involving his treatment of Jackson using Demerol, an addictive painkiller drug.

But it seems the defense team of Dr. Murray will not be able to get hold of the said records as Dr. Klein refuses to divulge his treatment of the singer citing patient confidentiality rules.

In a Associated Press feature, a defense lawyer for Murray claim they have a witness which will prove that the pop star was indeed suffering from withdrawal before his death, and that certain reactions from his medications complicated his condition. In a letter written by Dr. Murray’s attorneys for the motion that they have filed, they stated that “due to Dr. Klein’s actions, Mr. Jackson became physiologically and psychologically dependent on Demerol.”  This is why any patient confidentiality clause may be overpowered by the probable strength of evidence that Dr. Klein’s records might show.

Some of Dr. Klein’s records have been turned over to coroners and officials who are investigating Jackson’s death. Judge Pastor’s review on the files summoned by the defense will take place on April 6.

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Dr. Conrad Murray Claims Michael Jackson Begged for Drugs

Posted by Drug Free in Prescription Drug Abuse on January 12th, 2011

Dr. Conrad Murray, who has been accused of involuntary manslaughter for the death of King of Pop Michael Jackson, said he was pressured by Jackson to administer drugs to help him sleep. Jackson allegedly “begged” him for Propofol, according to a post in The Hollywood Gossip.

Michael Jackson Conrad MurrayDr. Murray was said to be giving Jackson regular doses of Propofol every night for months, but was trying to ween him off the powerful, hospital-grade anesthesia. The night before Jackson died, he had trouble sleeping and said he would cancel rehearsal if he didn’t get to sleep. Dr. Murray gave in and administered a reduced dose of Propofol after giving him a variety of other drugs after 1 AM without results.

Defense attorneys seem to be taking the path of showing that it was Jackson who caused his own death. Dr. Christopher Rogers, chief of forensic medicine for the Los Angeles County Coroner, however, testified that even if Jackson self-administered the drug that killed him, giving him a powerful anesthetic without proper precautions would still mean homicide for his physician. Dr. Rogers said, “The fact that there was propofol there in the first place — in other words, this is not a usual setting to administer propofol — and if there was propofol there, it was there to be administered to Mr. Jackson and so the doctor should be prepared for adverse effects.”

Tim Lopez, owner of Applied Pharmacy Services in Las Vegas, said that Dr. Murray, who said he had a clinic in the Los Angeles area, ordered 255 vials of Propofol between April 6 and June 10. Jackson died on June 25.

Dr. Murray could lose his medical license and face up to 4 years in jail if convicted.

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Propofol – the drug that might have killed Michael Jackson

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation, Drug Testing, Prescription Drug Abuse on August 14th, 2009

Propofol

Pop icon Michael Jackson’s death has shifted the attention of specialists and service providers in the field of addiction to a drug named propofol – a potent drug which was found in MJ’s home along with IV stands and oxygen tanks. Just three days prior to his death on 25th June, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists had warned the hospitals to restrict the availability of the drug since abuse of the drug amongst medical professionals is becoming a growing concern. Handling long shifts, stressful cases as well as easy access to drugs has fuelled the problem of drug addiction amongst them. 

Deprivan, the brand name under which the drug is sold, is a sedative used in hospital settings primarily for colonoscopies, cosmetic surgeries, bone repair and same-day knee surgery. The drug is administered intravenously and it works very quickly. According to Dr.Wischmeyer, “If you try to count backward from 100 after injecting it, you don’t get to 97.” It is also considered to be a clean drug since it clears the system very quickly. The drug is only safe for hospital patients and constant monitoring for “airway management” is a must to ensure that breathing does not stop.

The drug can bring a short but captivating high after the sedation wears off. Medical professionals have been using it as a recreational drug often for “pronapping” – a short rest induced by the drug. But gradually they get addicted to it requiring specialized intervention.

The standard drug tests cannot detect propofol and with a half-life of 5 minutes, it does not affect the behavior in a way that signals addiction. 

“Could propofol be the next OxyContin?” Some doctors say “no” since it is difficult to administer and only medical professionals can do it.

Should proponol be classified as a controlled substance? Please share your comments and views regarding the matter.

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Addiction to Prescription Drugs is on the rise

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Prescription Drug Abuse on July 20th, 2009

The untimely death of pop star Michael Jackson has once again raised the question “Are prescription drugs beneficial or harmful for health?” I believe that a majority of people will speak for the motion. But a few, like me who have had the opportunity to know the reality, will speak against it. Yes, addiction to prescription drugs is scaling up.

Such drugs are definitely useful when used as directed by the physician. But often they are misused – taken in larger doses.

A survey conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in 2007 has shown that around 15% of the US high school students abuse prescription drugs. Addiction to such drugs is prevalent mostly among young adults between 18 – 25 years who are unaware of the inherent danger.

The causes are easy availability and a common belief that such drugs are not harmful since they have been prescribed by doctors. “A safe way to get the high” said a senior student.

3 groups of prescribed drugs are generally abused –

• Opioids prescribed for relieving pain e.g. Morphine like Kodian and Avinza, Oxycodone like OxyContin and Percocet.

• Central Nervous System depressants that are used for treating anxiety, sleeplessness, e.g., Barbiturates like Mebaral and Nembutal, Benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax.

• Stimulants that are prescribed to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), obesity, narcolepsy e.g. Detroamphetamine like Dexedrine and Adderall, Methylphenidate like Ritalin and Concerta.

So please be aware of prescribed drugs. Keep in mind the fine line that differentiates between using and abusing such drugs. Remember they are as dangerous as illegal drugs like brown sugar since they are highly addictive and dangerous. Consult a doctor immediately if you feel that someone in your family is abusing prescription drugs.

Take the Tour: http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/prescription_dangerZones.asp

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