The detection of mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) in 4 fatalities in Scotland

Torrance, Hazel J.; Cooper, Gail

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.07.014

Cited by 158 publications

(89 citation statements)

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“…Concentrations in postmortem blood specimens in mephedrone-related deaths have ranged from 0.13 to 22 mg/L [33,34]. Gastric contents in one case were found to have a concentration of mephedrone of 1.04 mg/L [40] Postmortem butylone concentrations in the blood have been reported ranging from 0.435 to 1.2 mg/L and in gastric contents at 5.2 mg/L [42].…”

Section: Laboratory Analysismentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Mephedrone was a contributing factor in two cases: one, a patient with a multidrug overdose and another with a fatal motor vehicle crash [33]. Four additional mephedronerelated deaths are reported: stab wounds were the cause of death in one, mephedrone responsible for two, and the other case unresolved [34]. Accidental death due to multidrug toxicity occurred after use of mephedrone and heroin in a 22-year-old male [32].…”

Section: Mephedronementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Urine drug screening in another series found that 16 of 17 specimens were positive for other drugs of abuse [13]. Postmortem toxicology testing has also revealed that concurrent use of other substances is common [32][33][34] Adverse Clinical Effects of Synthetic Cathinones Cardiac, psychiatric, and neurological signs and symptoms are the most common adverse effects reported in synthetic cathinone users who require medical care. There are four series detailing clinical effects of cathinones.…”

Section: Subjective User Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A rat model suggests that cathinone and methcathinone are poorly incorporated into hair, but that methylone is well incorporated [66]. Mephedrone has been found in human hair on postmortem examination in concentrations of 4.2-4.7 ng/mL [34]. Methedrone has also been found in postmortem concentration of 29-37 ng/mL [41].…”

Section: Laboratory Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Toxicology of Bath Salts: A Review of Synthetic Cathinones

2011

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Synthetic cathinones have recently emerged and grown to be popular drugs of abuse. Their dramatic increase has resulted in part from sensationalized media attention as well as widespread availability on the Internet. They are often considered "legal highs" and sold as "bath salts" or "plant food" and labeled "not for human consumption" to circumvent drug abuse legislation. Cathinone is a naturally occurring beta-ketone amphetamine analogue found in the leaves of the Catha edulis plant. Synthetic cathinones are derivatives of this compound. Those that are being used as drugs of abuse include butylone, dimethylcathinone, ethcathinone, ethylone, 3-and 4-fluoromethcathinone, mephedrone, methedrone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), methylone, and pyrovalerone. Synthetic cathinones are phenylalkylamines derivatives, and are often termed "bk-amphetamines" for the beta-ketone moiety. They may possess both amphetaminelike properties and the ability to modulate serotonin, causing distinct psychoactive effects. Desired effects reported by users of synthetic cathinones include increased energy, empathy, openness, and increased libido. Cardiac, psychiatric, and neurological signs and symptoms are the most common adverse effects reported in synthetic cathinone users who require medical care. Deaths associated with use of these compounds have been reported. Exposure to and use of synthetic cathinones are becoming increasingly popular despite a lack of scientific research and understanding of the potential harms of these substances. The clinical similarities to amphetamines and MDMA specifically are predictable based on the chemical structure of this class of agents. More work is necessary to understand the mechanisms of action, toxicokinetics, toxicodynamics, metabolism, clinical and psychological effects as well as the potential for addiction and withdrawal of these agents.

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Section: Laboratory Analysismentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Mephedronementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Subjective User Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Laboratory Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Toxicology of Bath Salts: A Review of Synthetic Cathinones

2011

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“…Es precisamente el fallecimiento de varios pacientes 44 , la presión de los medios de comunicación y en general los riesgos para la salud detectados 45 , lo que llevó a su prohibición en el Reino Unido en abril de 2010, medida aprobada como directiva por la Unión Europea el pasado mes de diciembre 46 . En España, recientemente (febrero de 2011) se ha prohibido su distribución y consumo 47 .…”

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Drogas emergentes (I): las «smart drugs»

Burillo-Putzé

Díaz

Pazos

et al. 2011

Anales Sis San Navarra

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resUMenEn los últimos años han ganado popularidad una serie de nuevas drogas, conocidas como smart drugs o legal highs, fácilmente accesibles a través de tiendas online. Ello ocurre sobre todo en los segmentos jóvenes de la población, asociado a su consumo lúdico fundamentalmente durante los fines de semana.En general son derivados sintéticos de productos naturales, de los que apenas existe investigación clíni-ca y que no son detectables en los laboratorios de los hospitales.Tres de estos productos, el BZP (1-benzilpiperacina), la mefedrona (4-metilcatinona) y el Spice son probablemente los más utilizados en Europa. Los dos primeros se consumen como alternativas al éxtasis y la cocaína, y se caracterizan por producir un cuadro clíni-co de tipo simpaticomimético, en ocasiones de consecuencias graves, con convulsiones e incluso muerte. El Spice (mezcla de hierbas con cannabinoides sintéticos como el JWH-018, el JWH-073 y el CP 47,497-C8) está ocasionando cuadros de dependencia y esquizofrenia.Aunque las drogas emergentes poseen un aura de seguridad, cada vez hay más experiencia sobre sus efectos secundarios.Palabras clave. Smart-drugs. Piperacinas. Catinonas. Mefedrona. Spice.

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Clinical and toxicological findings of acute intoxication with synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones

Fujita

Koeda

Fujino

et al. 2015

Acute Medicine & Surgery

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Aim:Reporting of the analytical and clinical findings of synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones is essential in carrying out a complete clinical assessment of new psychoactive substances. Methods:From 2012 to 2014, we examined synthetic cathinone and cannabinoid poisoning in six patients aged 22-42 years old.Analyses of these compounds were carried out using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results:The observed clinical symptoms were similar to those reported for intoxication with synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids.In cases of intoxication with synthetic cathinones, the psychiatric and neurological symptoms were long-lasting, and these compounds were detected in serum for 15-48 h after use. Although the clinical symptoms induced by the synthetic cannabinoids disappeared within several hours after use, the range of serum concentrations of these compounds was ≤5 ng/mL for 1-3 h after use. In one fatal case, in which high serum concentrations of synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids were detected, the most plausible cause of death was heart failure due to overdose with these drugs. The long-lasting symptoms induced by synthetic cathinones correlated with the long detection window in serum, whereas the early disappearance of symptoms induced by synthetic cannabinoids corresponded to the short detection window in serum.Conclusions: This study shows that the profiles of synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids in serum are closely related to the duration of the toxic symptoms and that concomitant use of two psychoactive drugs with different pharmacological actions may have the potential for fatal cardiotoxicity.

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The detection of mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) in 4 fatalities in Scotland

Cited by 158 publications

References 2 publications

The Toxicology of Bath Salts: A Review of Synthetic Cathinones

The Toxicology of Bath Salts: A Review of Synthetic Cathinones

Drogas emergentes (I): las «smart drugs»

Clinical and toxicological findings of acute intoxication with synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones

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