Infections in Paregoric Addicts

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Abstract
PAREGORIC, which contains 130 mg of opium per ounce, is now the major narcotic used in Detroit. Its use as an illegal opium source has developed within the last four years (Table 1). Paregoric is a hydroalcoholic solution containing not more than 129.6 mg of powdered opium per 29.573 ml ( 1 fluid oz) or per 283 gm with anise oil, benzoic acid, and camphor. Until April 20, 1964, paregoric was an exempt narcotic in Michigan, and could be purchased at pharmacies without prescription. The drug is usually concentrated by boiling before intravenous instillation. Users often mix paregoric with the amphetamines, secobarbital, glutethimide, other barbiturates, or tripelennamine. The talcum filler of tripelennamine has been associated with diffuse pulmonary granuloma and subsequent pulmonary hypertension.1 The benzoic acid, camphor, and anise of paregoric are irritants and lead to occlusive sclerosis after intravenous instillation. Therefore, the median cubital vein (most often used by