Anna Johansson1, Daniel Lindstedt2, Markus Roman2, Gunilla Thelander2, Elisabet I Nielsen3, Ulrica Lennborn4, Håkan Sandler5, Sten Rubertsson4, Johan Ahlner6, Robert Kronstrand6, Fredrik C Kugelberg6. 1. Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: anna.johansson@rmv.se. 2. Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden. 3. Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. 4. Department of Surgical Sciences/Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. 5. Department of Forensic Medicine, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Surgical Sciences/Forensic Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. 6. Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Drug Research, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: 3-methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP) appeared on the illicit drug market in 2011 and is an analogue of phencyclidine, which exhibits anesthetic, analgesic and hallucinogenic properties. In this paper, we report data from a non-fatal intoxication and seven deaths involving 3-MeO-PCP in Sweden during the period March 2014 until June 2016. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: The non-fatal intoxication case, a 19-year-old male with drug problems and a medical history of depression, was found awake but tachycardic, hypertensive, tachypnoeic and catatonic at home. After being hospitalized, his condition worsened as he developed a fever and lactic acidosis concomitant with psychomotor agitation and hallucinations. After 22h of intensive care, the patient had made a complete recovery. During his hospitalization, a total of four blood samples were collected at different time points. The seven autopsy cases, six males and one female, were all in their twenties to thirties with psychiatric problems and/or an ongoing drug abuse. METHODS: 3-MeO-PCP was identified with liquid chromatography (LC)/time-of-flight technology and quantified using LC-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: In the clinical case, the concentration of 3-MeO-PCP was 0.14μg/g at admission, 0.08μg/g 2.5h after admission, 0.06μg/g 5h after admission and 0.04μg/g 17h after admission. The half-life of 3-MeO-PCP was estimated to 11h. In the autopsy cases, femoral blood concentrations ranged from 0.05μg/g to 0.38μg/g. 3-MeO-PCP was the sole finding in the case with the highest concentration and the cause of death was established as intoxication with 3-MeO-PCP. In the remaining six autopsy cases, other medications and drugs of abuse were present as well. CONCLUSION: Despite being scheduled in January 2015, 3-MeO-PCP continues to be abused in Sweden. Exposure to 3-MeO-PCP may cause severe adverse events and even death, especially if the user does not receive life-supporting treatment.
INTRODUCTION:3-methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP) appeared on the illicit drug market in 2011 and is an analogue of phencyclidine, which exhibits anesthetic, analgesic and hallucinogenic properties. In this paper, we report data from a non-fatal intoxication and seven deaths involving 3-MeO-PCP in Sweden during the period March 2014 until June 2016. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: The non-fatal intoxication case, a 19-year-old male with drug problems and a medical history of depression, was found awake but tachycardic, hypertensive, tachypnoeic and catatonic at home. After being hospitalized, his condition worsened as he developed a fever and lactic acidosis concomitant with psychomotor agitation and hallucinations. After 22h of intensive care, the patient had made a complete recovery. During his hospitalization, a total of four blood samples were collected at different time points. The seven autopsy cases, six males and one female, were all in their twenties to thirties with psychiatric problems and/or an ongoing drug abuse. METHODS: 3-MeO-PCP was identified with liquid chromatography (LC)/time-of-flight technology and quantified using LC-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: In the clinical case, the concentration of 3-MeO-PCP was 0.14μg/g at admission, 0.08μg/g 2.5h after admission, 0.06μg/g 5h after admission and 0.04μg/g 17h after admission. The half-life of 3-MeO-PCP was estimated to 11h. In the autopsy cases, femoral blood concentrations ranged from 0.05μg/g to 0.38μg/g. 3-MeO-PCP was the sole finding in the case with the highest concentration and the cause of death was established as intoxication with 3-MeO-PCP. In the remaining six autopsy cases, other medications and drugs of abuse were present as well. CONCLUSION: Despite being scheduled in January 2015, 3-MeO-PCP continues to be abused in Sweden. Exposure to 3-MeO-PCP may cause severe adverse events and even death, especially if the user does not receive life-supporting treatment.
Authors: Michal Ordak; Aleksandra Zmysłowska; Miłosz Bielski; Daniel Rybak; Maja Tomaszewska; Katarzyna Wyszomierska; Aleksandra Kmiec; Natalia Garlicka; Maria Zalewska; Michal Zalewski; Tadeusz Nasierowski; Elzbieta Muszynska; Magdalena Bujalska-Zadrozny Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2021-04-23 Impact factor: 4.157
Authors: André Lobo Castro; Maria José C S Pinto da Costa; Sónia Tarelho; Lara Sousa; Fernando Russo; João Miguel Franco Journal: Int J Legal Med Date: 2022-04-01 Impact factor: 2.791
Authors: Amanda L A Mohr; Barry K Logan; Melissa F Fogarty; Alex J Krotulski; Donna M Papsun; Sherri L Kacinko; Marilyn A Huestis; Jeri D Ropero-Miller Journal: J Anal Toxicol Date: 2022-07-14 Impact factor: 3.220
Authors: Antoine Berar; Jean-Sébastien Allain; Sophie Allard; Charles Lefevre; Alain Baert; Isabelle Morel; Renaud Bouvet; Thomas Gicquel Journal: Medicine (Baltimore) Date: 2019-12 Impact factor: 1.817
Authors: Ana Y Simão; Mónica Antunes; Emanuel Cabral; Patrik Oliveira; Luana M Rosendo; Ana Teresa Brinca; Estefânia Alves; Hernâni Marques; Tiago Rosado; Luís A Passarinha; Maristela Andraus; Mário Barroso; Eugenia Gallardo Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-04-17 Impact factor: 4.614