Mono-/polyintoxication with 5F-ADB: A case series.
Michael Kraemer, Helena Fels, Torsten Dame, Frank Mußhoff, Sebastian Halter, Lukas Mogler, Cornelius Hess, Burkhard Madea, Alexandra Maas
Forensic science international August 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.05.017 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstract5F-ADB, a synthetic cannabinoid, has been found in legal high products and biological samples, linked to serious health effects and deaths. This report describes five cases of verified 5F-ADB consumption, including three fatalities, a driving under the influence case, and a grievous bodily harm case. In four cases, 5F-ADB was detected in blood or plasma at concentrations between 0.11 and 0.57 μg/L; one case confirmed consumption via metabolite detection in postmortem fluids. Adverse effects observed include confusion (possibly psychosis), collapse, loss of consciousness, unsafe driving, and mood changes, all potentially attributable to 5F-ADB.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 5 |
| Population | Individuals with verified 5F-ADB consumption (including fatalities, a driver, and a person involved in grievous bodily harm) |
| Keywords | 5f-adb Duid Intoxication Synthetic cannabinoids |
| Key finding | 5F-ADB consumption was associated with serious adverse effects including fatalities, confusion, collapse, loss of consciousness, unsafe driving, and mood changes. |
Abstract
5F-ADB is an indazole-based synthetic cannabinoid. In recent years, it has been detected in legal high products as well as in biological samples and is associated with serious adverse health, behavioral effects and even death. Due to the fast pace of the market of synthetic cannabinoids, data on such newly appearing substances are scarce. As pharmacological properties are often investigated in vitro or by using animal experiments, reports on synthetic cannabinoid findings in human samples along with corresponding case history descriptions are valuable for the interpretation of upcoming routine cases. Herein we report five cases with verified 5F-ADB consumption, including three fatalities, a case of driving under the influence of drugs as well as a case of grievous bodily harm. In four cases, 5F-ADB could be detected in blood or plasma. Concentrations were in the range of 0.11-0.57 μg/L. In one instance 5F-ADB consumption was verified by the detection of 5F-ADB metabolites in postmortem body fluids. The described cases illustrate various adverse effects including confusion (possibly even psychosis), collapse, loss of consciousness, unsafe driving style or changing moods that might be attributed to 5F-ADB.