Journal of analytical toxicology
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In recent years, several synthetic cannabinoid compounds have become popular recreational drugs of abuse because of their psychoactive properties. This paper presents toxicological findings of synthetic cannabinoids in whole blood from some cases of severe intoxication including quantitative data from recreational users and a fatal intoxication. Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in a scheduled multiple reaction mode after a basic liquid extraction. ⋯ The emerging drugs MAM-2201 (n = 151) and UR-144 (n = 181) had mean (median) concentrations of 1.04 (0.37) and 1.26 (0.34), respectively. The toxicity of the synthetic cannabinoids seems to be worse than that of natural cannabis, probably owing to the higher potency and perhaps also to the presence of several different cannabinoids in the smoked incense and the difficulties of proper dosing. The acute toxic effects may under certain circumstances contribute to death.
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Clinical Trial
Prescription opioids. II. Metabolism and excretion patterns of hydrocodone in urine following controlled single-dose administration.
Hydrocodone (HC) is a highly misused prescription drugs in the USA. Interpretation of urine tests for HC is complicated by its metabolism to two metabolites, hydromorphone (HM) and dihydrocodeine (DHC), which are also available commercially and are misused. Currently, there is interest in including HC and HM in the federal workplace drug-testing programs. ⋯ Creatinine and SG measures were highly correlated. Creatinine corrections of HC urinary data had variable effects of lowering or raising concentrations. These data suggest that drug-testing requirements for HC should include a hydrolysis step and a test for HM.