Four fatalities involving 5-IT.
L Nitin Seetohul, Derrick J Pounder
Journal of analytical toxicology September 1, 2013 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkt053 via PubMed
Summary
Four deaths are associated with the new designer stimulant 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole (5-IT), an indole derivative first synthesized in 1962. In three cases, 5-IT was detected in femoral blood at concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 10 mg/L, often alongside other drugs such as MDMA, 6-APB, amphetamine, and methylone. One death was attributed solely to 5-IT toxicity; two deaths were attributed to toxic cocktail effects of multiple drugs; and one death was attributed to drug toxicity with an indeterminate role of epilepsy. A validated high-performance liquid chromatography method for quantitating 5-IT is also reported.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 4 |
| Population | Deceased individuals with 5-IT detected in postmortem toxicology |
| Keywords | Forensic toxicology Designer stimulants Drug detection Drug toxicity |
| Citations | 38 |
| Key finding | Four deaths are associated with 5-IT, often in combination with other drugs, with femoral blood concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 10 mg/L. |
Abstract
The new designer drug 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole (5-IT) is an indole derivative with stimulant properties. Its synthesis was first described by Albert Hofmann and Franz Troxler in 1962. We report four deaths associated with 5-IT and a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method for quantitation of the drug. In all four deaths, an autopsy was performed, and femoral venous blood, heart blood, urine and vitreous humor were submitted for toxicological analysis. The blood specimens were subjected to comprehensive testing that included alcohol analysis by headspace gas chromatography (GC-FID), acidic/neutral, basic drug and opiates screening by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS), and acidic/neutral, basic and acidic drugs screening by HPLC. In Case 1, a 25-year-old male, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 10 mg/L) were detected, and death was attributed to the toxic effects of 5-IT. In Case 2, a 25-year-old female, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone (methylone, not quantitated), 6-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (6-APB; femoral blood 10 mg/L) were detected, and death was attributed to the toxic 'cocktail effects' of the drugs. In Case 3, a 22-year-old male with a history of epilepsy, 5-IT (0.5 mg/L femoral blood) and 6-APB (0.2 mg/L femoral blood) were detected, and death was attributed to the toxic effects of the drugs, with the role of epilepsy being indeterminate. In Case 4, a 25-year-old female, 5-IT (0.4 mg/L femoral blood), amphetamine (0.4 mg/L femoral blood), MDMA (1.5 mg/L femoral blood), 4-methyl-N-ethylcathione, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine HCl (MDA), benzylpiperazine and 6-APB were detected, and death was attributed to the 'cocktail effect' of the drugs.