No abstract

Synthetic cathinones (SCs) are currently the second largest and the second most frequently seized group of new psychoactive substances. They are sold as replacements for controlled stimulants such as amphetamine, cocaine and MDMA. Administration of low doses of SCs can cause euphoria and increased alertness, and administration of high doses or chronic use of cathinones can cause serious adverse effects, such as hallucinations, delirium, hyperthermia, and tachycardia. In the years 2013–2019 in our practice, as many as 16 different SCs were detected in biological materials. Presented article lists the observed concentrations in 39 fatal and 18 non-fatal cases, in which a single SC as well as an SC in combination with amphetamine or ethyl alcohol were detected and quantified in biological materials. The quantitative analyses were carried out by LC-MS/MS. The analysed cases of taking SCs were associated with intoxication (2 cases), fatal intoxication (36), driving under the influence of drugs (10), and other circumstances (9), such as violence, insulting an officer, and holding a hostage. Taking SCs has serious side effects that can lead to multiple organ failure and death. Screening for the presence of SCs in biological materials should be part of the routine course of treatment in intoxication cases, both at the stage of clinical diagnosis and at the stage of forensic toxicological analysis. Ethyl alcohol and amphetamine may contribute to increased SC toxicity. This data could be valuable for further interpretation of other results from toxicological analyses.

Comprehensive chemical characterization for two cathinone derivatives, N-ethyl-2-amino-1-phenylpropan-1-one (ethcathinone) hydrochloride and N-ethyl-2-amino-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-propan-1-one (4-chloroethcathinone, 4-CEC) hydrochloride, in material seized by drug enforcement agencies was performed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in positive electron ionization mode, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry in positive electrospray ionization mode and X-ray crystallography. The examined samples of these two compounds proved to be very pure for ethcathinone and mixed with very small quantities of other substances for 4-CEC by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. X-ray crystallographic studies confirmed the occurrence of both compounds as racemic mixtures. These spectroscopic and crystallographic data seem very useful for their identification. Especially for 4-CEC, this is the first description on its spectroscopic characterization in a scientific context to our knowledge.

No abstract

Some of the most commonly used new psychoactive substances (NPSs) are synthetic cathinones (SCs). The literature increasingly indicates that SCs have a significant addictive potential and pose a high risk to human health and life. The vast majority of SC users take a number of substances simultaneously. Presented article lists the detected concentrations in 26 fatal and 2 non-fatal real cases, in which SCs or an SC along with other substances were determined in blood and other biological materials. The following SCs were found most often: α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone, α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone, N-ethylpentedrone (NEP), 4-methyl-α-ethylaminopentiophenone, and N-ethylhexedrone. In addition to detected SCs, the analysed samples showed the presence of conventional drugs such as methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, amphetamine, and NPSs from groups other than SCs, i.e. synthetic cannabinoids (UR-144 and 5-F-AMB), synthetic opioids (AH-7921, U-47700, and 4-fluorobutyrfentanyl), and others (desoxypipradrol and etizolam). The quantitative analyses were carried out by LC-MS/MS. This study presents pioneering data on concentrations and effects of 4-ethylmethcathinone, NEP, N-ethylbuphedrone, and mexedrone. Also noteworthy are the data on SCs that until now have rarely been described in the literature together with specified blood concentrations. The analysed cases of taking SCs were associated with fatal intoxication (n=26), driving under the influence of drugs (n=2), and death caused by beating (n=1). Taking SCs has serious side effects that can lead to multiple organ failure and death. The use of more than one psychoactive substance simultaneously (including at least one SC) contributes to increased SC toxicity. This data could be valuable for further interpretation of other results from toxicological analyses.