Search

Purpose: Similar to synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinone derivatives are the most popular compounds among novel psychoactive substances. Along with a growing number of new cathinones, the number of consumers wishing to enrich their experience with these compounds is also growing, and the same can be said about the growing numbers of poisonings. The reason for overdosing is a lack of consumer awareness regarding composition of the product, with which they experiment, and even more, regarding concentration of psychoactive substances contained in the taken product. In this paper, we report a case of the purposeful intake of a high dose of powder containing a novel cathinone derivative, α-propylaminopentiophenone, which resulted in the deadly poisoning of a woman. Methods: Aiming to identify this psychoactive substance causing the fatality, the postmortem specimens collected from the autopsy was analyzed by means of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and the analysis of a powder material found with the victim was additionally analyzed by means of gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. Results: In the course of analysis performed on the specimens originating from autopsy (blood, eyeball fluid, liver, kidney and brain), high concentrations of α-propylaminopentiophenone were established, which was responsible for the death of a young woman. The same psychoactive compound was also identified in the powder material. Conclusions: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature on fatal poisoning with α-propyloaminopentiophenone.

Purpose: Currently, among new psychoactive substances, cathinone derivatives constitute the biggest group, which are mainly classified into N-alkylated, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-alkylated, N-pyrrolidinyl, and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-pyrrolidinyl derivatives. These derivatives are actively being subjected to minor modifications at the alkyl chains or the aromatic ring to create new synthetic cathinones with the goal of circumventing laws. In this review, the new synthetic cathinones that have appeared on the illegal drug market during the period 2014–2017 are highlighted, and their characterization by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry is presented. Methods: Various key words were used to conduct an extensive literature search across a number of databases, specifically for synthetic cathinones that emerged between 2014 and 2017. Results: More than 30 new cathinone derivatives were discovered. The preexisting parental compounds for the new derivatives are also referenced, and their mass spectral data are compiled in a table to facilitate their identification by forensic toxicologists. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the most current review presenting new synthetic cathinones. Political authorities should take measures to implement and enforce generic scheduling (comprehensive system) laws to control the diversely modified synthetic cathinones. Supplementing the existing databases with new findings can greatly facilitate the efforts of forensic toxicologists.

During the last decade, a substantial growth in new psychoactive substances (NPS) has been recorded. Within this group, a considerably fast-growing sub-group is represented by the opioids, which are based on modifications of the fentanyl structure. In this study, identification and analytical characterization of a new fentanyl derivative, 4-fluorobutyrfentanyl (1-((4-fluorophenyl)(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)amino)butan-1-one, 4-FBF), is described. Apart from the seized powder, 4-FBF was also identified in the e-cigarette liquid secured in Case 1. The concentration of the compound in the liquid was 35 mg/mL. The main component of the liquid was glycerol, and nicotine was also present. This substance was detected in seized material that originated from the illegal drug market in Poland. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this report presents the first two analytically confirmed cases of fatal intoxication associated with 4-FBF. Case 1 was a 26-year-old male drug user who was found dead at home. Case 2 was a 25-year-old female, occasional user of NPS and drugs, who was also found dead at home. The concentrations of 4-FBF in blood were 91 and 112 ng/mL and in urine 200 and 414 ng/mL. The concentrations of 4-FBF in liver and kidney were 902 and 411 ng/g, and 136 and 197 ng/g, for Case 1 and Case 2, respectively. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

In this study, we present identification and physicochemical characterization of new cathinone derivatives, 4-fluoro-PV9 and already known a-PHP in seized materials. Although the disclosure of a-PHP from an illegal product had been reported and characterized to some extent, the data on a-PHP are also presented together with those of 4-fluoro-PV9. The data of characterization for the two compounds were obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–mass spectrometry and HPLC– diode array detection, electrospray ionization/ion trap mass spectrometry in MS2 and MS3 modes, gas chromatography– mass spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. To our knowledge, this is the first report for identification and detailed characterization of 4-fluoro-PV9 circulated on the illegal drug market.

Recently, there has been an increase in the consumption of designer drugs, substances aimed at producing psychoactive, energizing, euphoric or anesthetic effects. Designer drugs are substitutes of actual narcotics, whose possession is banned under Polish law according to the Act of 29 July 2005. The latest reports suggest that the number of synthetic psychoactive substances is increasing. In the span of 2012, a total of 28 new synthetic cannabinoids were discovered in member states of the European Union. Synthetic psychoactive substances appear in different forms on the market: tablets (often very colourful and interestingly-shaped), seeds, dried product (sprayed with synthetic substance and redried), crystals or powder. The way of application is greatly diverse, and depends on the form in which a drug is produced and dispensed. The methods of intoxication include smoke inhalation (oftentimes blends are smoked), intranasal or oral application, placing crystals on the eye, or injection. Said methods correspond, with varying degrees, to invoking different psychotic effects, such as agitation, panic attacks, paranoia, hallucinations, overall irritation, and aggression. Various cardiovascular effects, such as tachycardia or increase in blood pressure, may follow as well. However, the primary influence is on the nervous system, inhibiting the reuptake of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, noradrenalin and dopamine, and leading to their increased concentration at the presynaptic cleft, which in turn causes feelings of agitation and pleasure. The knowledge regarding the strength, toxicity, and metabolism of designer drugs is yet sparse. The same pertains to the knowledge regarding the handling of overdose cases.

During the last decade, a substantial growth in new psychoactive substances (NPS) has been recorded. Within this group, a considerably fast-growing sub-group is represented by the opioids, which are based on modifications of the fentanyl structure. In this study, identification and analytical characterization of a new fentanyl derivative, 4-fluorobutyrfentanyl (1-((4-fluorophenyl)(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)amino)butan-1-one, 4-FBF), is described. Apart from the seized powder, 4-FBF was also identified in the e-cigarette liquid secured in Case 1. The concentration of the compound in the liquid was 35 mg/mL. The main component of the liquid was glycerol, and nicotine was also present. This substance was detected in seized material that originated from the illegal drug market in Poland. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this report presents the first two analytically confirmed cases of fatal intoxication associated with 4-FBF. Case 1 was a 26-year-old male drug user who was found dead at home. Case 2 was a 25-year-old female, occasional user of NPS and drugs, who was also found dead at home. The concentrations of 4-FBF in blood were 91 and 112 ng/mL and in urine 200 and 414 ng/mL. The concentrations of 4-FBF in liver and kidney were 902 and 411 ng/g, and 136 and 197 ng/g, for Case 1 and Case 2, respectively. Copyright © 2016 John WileySons, Ltd.