Journal of analytical toxicology
May 20, 2022
Caroline S Copeland, Simon Hudson, Ric Treble et al.
9 citations
The dissociative hallucinogen 3-MeO-PCP, a phencyclidine derivative, can cause severe psychological agitation and life-threatening cardiorespiratory effects. The United Nations classified it as a Schedule II substance in 2021. This report describes the first UK fatality solely attributable to 3-MeO-PCP intoxication, adding to 15 previous fatal cases worldwide. The authors note that blood concentrations associated with toxicity remain uncertain but provide detailed sample information to aid future interpretation. They suggest that exercise may worsen toxicity, cautioning against use as a club drug where elevated heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure are likely.
Journal of medical toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology
January 1, 2025
Caitlin E Wolfe, Lachlan J Sund, John Rh Archer et al.
5 citations
In 2021, 258 UK deaths were attributed to novel psychoactive substances (NPS). Confirmatory testing for NPS is limited by cost and speed. Among 1000 acute recreational drug toxicity presentations to a central London hospital in 2019/20, 28 unique NPS were detected, compared to 31 in a 2016/17 cohort. Eight new NPS appeared in 2019/20: four benzodiazepines, two synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists, one cathinone, and one ketamine analogue. No NPS opioids were found in either cohort. Cannabis, ketamine, and opioid detection increased significantly from 2016/17 to 2019/20, while alcohol, cathinones, GHB, and MDMA decreased. The findings align with European forensic trends and underscore the need for ongoing surveillance of emerging drugs.
Archives of toxicology
November 1, 2022
Liesl K Janssens, Simon Hudson, David M Wood et al.
In 71 patients who used the synthetic cannabinoid 5F-MDMB-PICA, serum concentrations of the drug correlated with ex vivo activation of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor in a sigmoidal pattern. Two active metabolites were identified, but their overall contribution to cannabinoid activity in serum was negligible. Clinically, higher ex vivo cannabinoid activity was associated with a significant decrease in the Glasgow Coma Scale score, indicating reduced consciousness. In vitro pharmacological profiling could predict an individual's ex vivo CB1 activity, which in turn related to level of consciousness.