2021
Legal challenges in providing treatment for people who use drugs (PWUDs) in Malaysia
Vicknasingam B, Salleh N, Ramadah R, Singh D, Kamarulzaman A, Chawarski MC. Legal challenges in providing treatment for people who use drugs (PWUDs) in Malaysia. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2021, 97: 103311. PMID: 34111680, PMCID: PMC8585679, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103311.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBehavioral counseling and abstinence‐contingent take‐home buprenorphine in general practitioners’ offices in Malaysia: a randomized, open‐label clinical trial
Schottenfeld RS, Chawarski M, Mazlan M. Behavioral counseling and abstinence‐contingent take‐home buprenorphine in general practitioners’ offices in Malaysia: a randomized, open‐label clinical trial. Addiction 2021, 116: 2135-2149. PMID: 33404150, DOI: 10.1111/add.15399.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid-negative urine testsBuprenorphine-naloxone treatmentBehavioral counselingPhysician managementBehavioral interventionsUrine testsClinical trialsOpen-label clinical trialTake-home dosesOpioid-dependent patientsWeeks of treatmentOpioid use disorderPrimary care physiciansOpioid-dependent individualsHIV risk behaviorsGeneral practitioner's officeBuprenorphine-naloxoneOpioid usePrimary outcomeCare physiciansTreatment outcomesStudy interventionTreatment accessTreatment groupsUse disorders
2020
Kratom and Pain Tolerance: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study.
Vicknasingam B, Chooi WT, Rahim AA, Ramachandram D, Singh D, Ramanathan S, Yusof NSM, Zainal H, Murugaiyah V, Gueorguieva R, Mansor SM, Chawarski MC. Kratom and Pain Tolerance: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study. The Yale Journal Of Biology And Medicine 2020, 93: 229-238. PMID: 32607084, PMCID: PMC7309661.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDouble-blind studyPain toleranceCold pressor taskConsumption of placeboSigns of withdrawalKratom consumptionTraditional medicine useKratom ingestionPain reliefPain onsetInpatient staySafety profileMedicine useWithdrawal symptomsPlacebo drinkHand withdrawalHealth statusVital signsKratom productsSelf-reported dataRandomized sequencePlaceboKratomSignificant increaseDecoction
2017
Early Initiation of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) Use Associated with Lowered Cognitive Performance among Individuals with Co-Occurring Opioid and ATS Use Disorders in Malaysia
Chooi WT, Zaharim N, Desrosiers A, Ahmad I, Yasin MAM, Jaapar S, Schottenfeld RS, Vicknasingam BK, Chawarski MC. Early Initiation of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) Use Associated with Lowered Cognitive Performance among Individuals with Co-Occurring Opioid and ATS Use Disorders in Malaysia. Journal Of Psychoactive Drugs 2017, 49: 326-332. PMID: 28661714, PMCID: PMC6218246, DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2017.1342152.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCognitive performanceStandard Progressive MatricesRey-Osterrieth Complex Figure TestSymbol digit substitution taskCognitive performance groupsComplex Figure TestRaven's Standard Progressive MatricesATS use disorderATS useDigit spanTrail MakingCognitive functioningFigures TestAmphetamine-type stimulant useSubstitution taskProgressive MatricesFunctioning profilesDrug useCo-occurring opioidGroup differencesCurrent study findingsStimulant useClusters of individualsATS dependenceUse disorders
2016
Emerging Drug Use Trends in Kelantan, Malaysia
Desrosiers A, Chooi WT, Zaharim NM, Ahmad I, Yasin M, Jaapar S, Schottenfeld RS, Vicknasingam B, Chawarski MC. Emerging Drug Use Trends in Kelantan, Malaysia. Journal Of Psychoactive Drugs 2016, 48: 218-226. PMID: 27224011, DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2016.1185553.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug useAmphetamine-type stimulant useDrug use initiationTreatment optionsHigh prevalenceTreatment needsDrug use trendsTreatment servicesYounger ageStimulant useUse initiationPrevention effortsUnique sociocultural factorsTreatment seekingFGD participantsRural areasHigh rateEarly agePrevalencePWUDDrugsAgeSociocultural factorsParticipantsMajor contributor
2015
Teaching Psychosocial Interventions for Opioid Use Disorder in Low and Middle Income Countries: Malaysia and China
Marienfeld C, Chawarski M. Teaching Psychosocial Interventions for Opioid Use Disorder in Low and Middle Income Countries: Malaysia and China. Academic Psychiatry 2015, 40: 507-513. PMID: 26626791, DOI: 10.1007/s40596-015-0438-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBuprenorphine/naloxone treatment practices in Malaysia: Results of national surveys of physicians and patients
Vicknasingam B, Dazali MN, Singh D, Schottenfeld RS, Chawarski MC. Buprenorphine/naloxone treatment practices in Malaysia: Results of national surveys of physicians and patients. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 152: 164-169. PMID: 25935736, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.04.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBUP/NXNX treatmentGeneral practitionersPast monthOpiate positive urine testsOptimal treatment effectivenessRoutine toxicology testingToxicology testingBuprenorphine/naloxonePositive urine testUrine toxicology testingIllicit opiate useInjection of heroinInjection of drugsCross-sectional surveyMaintenance treatmentPatient surveyUrine testingUrine testsTreatment responseOpiate usePatient experiencePatientsDispensing practicesDrug use
2012
Cost-Effectiveness of Buprenorphine and Naltrexone Treatments for Heroin Dependence in Malaysia
Ruger JP, Chawarski M, Mazlan M, Ng N, Schottenfeld R. Cost-Effectiveness of Buprenorphine and Naltrexone Treatments for Heroin Dependence in Malaysia. PLOS ONE 2012, 7: e50673. PMID: 23226534, PMCID: PMC3514172, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050673.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHeroin dependenceCost-effectiveness ratioSecondary outcomesOutcome measuresDrug usePlacebo-controlled clinical trialFirst heroin useIncremental cost-effectiveness ratioSocietal costsInjection drug useSecondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome measureIllicit opiate useIncremental treatment costNaltrexone treatmentPrimary outcomeMedication costsPlacebo interventionClinical trialsHeroin abstinenceOpiate useHeroin useBuprenorphineTreatment retentionNaltrexoneLifetime ATS use and increased HIV risk among not-in-treatment opiate injectors in Malaysia
Chawarski MC, Vicknasingam B, Mazlan M, Schottenfeld RS. Lifetime ATS use and increased HIV risk among not-in-treatment opiate injectors in Malaysia. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2012, 124: 177-180. PMID: 22266088, PMCID: PMC4641448, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.12.024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpiate injectorsHIV infectionHIV statusATS useLifetime historyAmphetamine-type stimulantsHIV-negative participantsHIV transmission riskHIV-positive participantsDrug use historyPublic health prevention measuresHigh-risk behaviorsHealth prevention measuresTreatment IDUsVs. 75HIV transmissionRisk factorsPositive participantsHIV riskHigh riskRisk behaviorsDrug abuse problemsTransmission riskDrug abuseIDUs
2011
Costs of Addressing Heroin Addiction in Malaysia and 32 Comparable Countries Worldwide
Ruger JP, Chawarski M, Mazlan M, Luekens C, Ng N, Schottenfeld R. Costs of Addressing Heroin Addiction in Malaysia and 32 Comparable Countries Worldwide. Health Services Research 2011, 47: 865-887. PMID: 22091732, PMCID: PMC3419893, DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2011.01335.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBuprenorphine treatmentOpioid dependence treatmentBlood testingDependence treatmentHeroin addictionHealth systemOpiate usersSimilar interventionsIncremental costLao People's Democratic RepublicPatientsHeroin problemTreatmentGreater percentagePeople's Democratic RepublicInterventionDemocratic RepublicMedicationsBuprenorphineNaltrexoneRCTs
2010
Injection of buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone tablets in Malaysia
Vicknasingam B, Mazlan M, Schottenfeld RS, Chawarski MC. Injection of buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone tablets in Malaysia. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2010, 111: 44-49. PMID: 20478668, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.03.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBuprenorphine/naloxone tabletsInjection of buprenorphineInjection drug usersMisuse of buprenorphineFirst wave participantsBuprenorphine maintenanceOpioid dependenceBenzodiazepine abuseBuprenorphineDrug usersSecond-wave surveyIDUsFocus group participantsCombination tabletGroup participantsPreliminary dataSurvey participantsParticipantsFocus groupsWithdrawalAbuseDiversionSecond waveKuala Lumpur
2008
Maintenance treatment with buprenorphine and naltrexone for heroin dependence in Malaysia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Schottenfeld RS, Chawarski MC, Mazlan M. Maintenance treatment with buprenorphine and naltrexone for heroin dependence in Malaysia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet 2008, 371: 2192-2200. PMID: 18586174, PMCID: PMC4041792, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(08)60954-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFirst heroin useHIV risk behaviorsHeroin dependenceHeroin useHeroin relapseMaintenance treatmentHeroin abstinenceDrug counsellingComputer-generated randomisation sequenceRisk behaviorsEffective public health approachConsecutive daysInterim safety analysisOutpatient research clinicPlacebo-controlled trialEfficacy of naltrexoneHeroin-dependent patientsMonths of enrollmentPrevention of relapseWorldwide health priorityPublic health approachRandomisation sequencePrimary outcomeHIV transmissionHIV risk
2006
ASIA PACIFIC COLUMN: New challenges and opportunities in managing substance abuse in Malaysia
MAZLAN M, SCHOTTENFELD RS, CHAWARSKI MC. ASIA PACIFIC COLUMN: New challenges and opportunities in managing substance abuse in Malaysia. Drug And Alcohol Review 2006, 25: 473-478. PMID: 16939945, DOI: 10.1080/09595230600883354.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsStimulant abuseDrug useRelated disordersAgonist maintenance treatmentInjection drug useHealth careHigh HIV prevalenceHeroin-dependent individualsOpiate-dependent patientsSevere drug problemsInfectious disease ratesAgonist medicationsHIV casesMaintenance treatmentHIV prevalenceCountry's health careHeroin abusersMedical treatmentHeroin usersTreatment approachesDrug abusersDrug usersAdult populationDisease ratesSubstance abuseHeroin dependence and HIV infection in Malaysia
Chawarski MC, Mazlan M, Schottenfeld RS. Heroin dependence and HIV infection in Malaysia. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2006, 82: s39-s42. PMID: 16769444, DOI: 10.1016/s0376-8716(06)80007-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug useCurrent injection drug useLifetime injection drug useHIV infectionNeedle sharingHepatitis CHeroin dependenceHigh prevalenceDrug useMajor risk factorChest X-rayHeroin-dependent individualsHIV risk behaviorsHeroin-dependent subjectsConsistent condom useAddiction Severity IndexDrug abuse treatmentRadiological evidenceHepatitis BMean ageRisk factorsClinical trialsMalay ethnicityBaseline assessmentHIV