Following series of synthetic cannabinoid and cathinone derivatives, the illicit drug market has begun to see increased incidence opioids including fentanyl its other chemically unrelated opioid agonists AH-7921 MT-45. Among most frequently encountered compounds in postmortem casework have been furanyl (N-(1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl)-N-phenylfuran-2-carboxamide, Fu-F) U-47700 (trans-3,4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl)-N-methylbenzamide). Both drugs reported be present heroin...

Abstract Identification of N,N-dimethylpentylone (DMP) in counterfeit “Ecstasy” and “Molly” tablets poses risk to public health due its adverse effects. Little information is available regarding the pharmacological activity or relevant blood tissue concentrations DMP, even less known about other structurally related beta-keto methylenedioxyamphetamine analogs on recreational drug markets, such as N-propyl butylone. Here, a novel toxicological assay utilizing liquid chromatography–tandem...

MT-45 (1-cyclohexyl-4-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazine) is just one of the many novel psychoactive substances (NPS) to have reached recreational drug market in twenty-first century; it however, first designer opioids achieve some degree popularity, a currently dominated by synthetic cannabinoids and stimulants. A single fatality involving etizolam described. method for quantitation whole blood using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was developed validated. The linear range...

Methoxyacetylfentanyl and cyclopropylfentanyl are two of the newest illicit opioids that infiltrating heroin market. were reported by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in their third quarter report 2017 to have been chemically identified seven five times, respectively, from drug evidence analyzed DEA's lab system; Q3 was first time system, while methoxyacetylfentanyl one Q2 2017. A method developed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for quantitation fentanyl,...

Abstract The synthetic opioid landscape continues to change as non-fentanyl-related substances appear in forensic toxicology casework. Among the newest opioids emerge is isotonitazene, an analogue of a benzimidazole class analgesic compounds. Isotonitazene active and potent opioid, but extent which this compound causing toxicity among drug users was previously unknown. This report describes confirmation quantitation isotonitazene blood, urine vitreous fluid through standard addition, well...

Abstract Synthetic opioids constitute one of the fastest-growing groups new psychoactive substances (NPS) worldwide. With fentanyl analogues being increasingly controlled via classwide scheduling, many non-fentanyl-related are now emerging on recreational opioid market, rendering landscape highly complex and dynamic. While compounds entering supply in rapid unpredictable manners, some recent patterns have become apparent. Many these newly pirated from early patent literature and/or research...

Abstract 2-Benzylbenzimidazole ‘nitazene’ opioids are presenting a growing threat to public health. Although various nitazenes were previously studied, systematic comparisons of the effects different structural modifications 2-benzylbenzimidazole core structure on μ-opioid receptor (MOR) activity limited. Here, we assessed in vitro structure–activity relationships 9 uncharacterized alongside known analogues. Specifically, focused MOR activation by ‘ring’ substituted analogues (i.e., N...

Abstract In recent years an increasing number of novel opioids have appeared on the illicit drug market and been linked to growing opioid crisis in United States. It is suspected that synthetic‐opioid‐related deaths are underestimated since many laboratories either use a screening method not specific sensitive enough for these compounds or testing performed fentanyl its related analogs general. We describe analysis 19 most current drugs quantitatively whole blood serum, 17 analytes...

N-ethyl pentylone (ephylone) has been identified as the most recent novel stimulant to emerge into arena of evolving psychoactive substances (NPS). Due its novelty, information regarding case reports with associated quantitative confirmations, biotransformation pathways, and unique metabolites will assist scientific community in understanding implications emergence risks use. Authentic blood specimens (n = 26) submitted part toxicological death investigations or drugged driving casework...

Metonitazene is considered a new psychoactive substance (NPS) and emerging potent synthetic opioid, causing increased public health concern beginning in 2020. joins growing list of opioids (NSOs) contributing to deaths among people who use drugs the United States other parts world. (a 2-benzylbenzimidazole analogue) first appeared mid-2020 recreational drug supply subsequently began proliferating death investigation casework towards end Screening metabolite discovery were performed by liquid...

Recently, the number of adverse events, including death, involving novel opioids has continued to increase, providing additional and sustained challenges for forensic medical communities. Identification emerging can be challenging, compounded by detection windows unknown metabolic profiles. In this study, human liver microsomes were used generation in vitro profiles U-47700 U-49900. Generated metabolites analyzed via a SCIEX TripleTOF® 5600+ quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer...

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS), and specifically novel opioids, continue to cause adverse events, including death, within drug-using populations. As the number of opioid-related overdoses continues increase, laboratories have identified emergence new fentanyl analogues other synthetic drugs. Tetrahydrofuranylfentanyl (THFF) has been in Europe United States as an emerging opioid, causing death at least 15 individuals date. THFF is structurally similar furanylfentanyl, a previously...

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) present continuous and growing challenges for the scientific, medical, interventional communities as emerging on recreational drug markets change national international landscapes. NPS account an increasing proportion of adverse events, hospitalizations, deaths due to potency unanticipated biological effects compared predecessors. This study evaluated utility use forums early indicator or predictor impending intoxications with potentially harmful lethal...

Abstract New generations of novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) have emerged to fill a void in the illicit drug markets left by decline popularity fentanyl analogs subsequent core-structure scheduling fentanyl-related substances United States and China. These new include members 2-benzyl benzimidazole (eg, isotonitazene, metonitazene, N -pyrrolidino etonitazene, protonitazene, etodesnitazene), benzimidazolone brorphine), cinnamylpiperazine AP-238, 2-methyl AP-237) subclasses. Novel continue be...

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are everchanging and plague forensic laboratories who must identify an unending variety of emerging evolve current methodologies to detect these substances. Identifying potential regional NPS targets timely examining trends in seized drug data could help mitigate the burden face. Over 17 months, were processed categorized from three located across United States determine any similarities prevalent categories: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED),...

Walton, Sara MS; Papsun, Donna MS, D-ABFT-FT; Shoff, Elisa Ellefsen, Kayla PhD; Krotulski, Alex PhD Author Information

Mitragynine is the primary active alkaloid in leaves of tropical tree Mitragyna speciosa, and goes by popular names "Kratom", biak-biak maeng da. increasingly seen forensic toxicology casework including driving under influence drugs medicolegal death investigation cases. The toxicity mitragynine continues to be debated scientific community as advocates highlight its long history use Southeast Asia testimonials benefits present-day users, while opponents point an increasing number adverse...

Abstract Flualprazolam is a designer benzodiazepine and novel psychoactive substance that increasing in prevalence appearing forensic investigations. was quantitatively confirmed 197 blood samples from medicolegal death investigations human performance cases reported between August 2019 February 2020. Drug screening performed using liquid chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry quantitative confirmation chromatography–tandem spectrometry. A three-point standard addition protocol...

Abstract New synthetic opioids continue to appear as novel psychoactive substances (NPS) on illicit drug markets. Isotonitazene emerged in mid‐2019, becoming the most prevalent NPS opioid United States within a few months. Notification by Drug Enforcement Administration of its intent schedule isotonitazene mid‐2020 led decline popularity and replacement with new opioid: brorphine. Brorphine is potent opioid, but little information was previously available regarding toxicity or involvement...

Abstract Synthetic stimulants are the largest class of novel psychoactive substances identified each year by forensic laboratories internationally. While hundreds these drugs appear in drug powders, only a few proliferate use among forensically relevant populations and eventually emerge postmortem clinical investigations. Beta-keto-methylenedioxyamphetamines (i.e., with names ending “ylone”) currently most popular subclass synthetic stimulants. Leading up to its federal scheduling 2018,...