Fatalities, Cerebral Hemorrhage, and Severe Cardiovascular Toxicity After Exposure to the New Psychoactive Substance 4-Fluoroamphetamine: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Study Objective: We study adverse health effects after use of the new psychoactive substance 4-fluoroamphetamine.

Methods: All patients who reported 4-fluoroamphetamine exposure and for whom the Dutch Poisons Information Center was consulted by their physician in 2016 were included in a prospective cohort study. The clinical course was investigated through telephone interviews with the physician and/or patient, using standardized questionnaires.

Prevalence of medicinal drugs in suspected impaired drivers and a comparison with the use in the general Dutch population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of psychotropic medicines in drivers suspected of driving under the influence of medicinal and illicit drugs in The Netherlands and to compare the prevalence of selected impairing medicines with the use of these medicines in the general Dutch population. In total, 3038 blood samples of suspected impaired drivers in The Netherlands have been analyzed for the presence of medicinal and illicit drugs between January 2009 and December 2012. In 94% (2842/3038) of the cases medicinal and/or illicit drugs were detected.

Repeatability of oral fluid collection methods for THC measurement.

Study Objectives: To determine the influence of sample collection for two different collection methods on THC concentrations and to compare THC concentrations collected by both methods.

Methods: A total of 136 pairs of oral fluid samples from subjects who had recently smoked Cannabis were obtained by the non-acidic Statsure oral fluid collection device and by ordinary spit tubes. Oral fluid was analyzed for THC by LC-MS/MS.

The relationship between benzodiazepine use and traffic accidents: A systematic literature review.

In many countries, benzodiazepines are the most commonly used and misused psychoactive medicinal drugs. Results of epidemiological studies investigating the association between benzodiazepine use and traffic accidents seem to be inconclusive or inconsistent at first sight. However, the outcome of epidemiological studies may be influenced by several methodological factors like study design, study population, exposure measurement, outcome definitions and possible confounders.

The concentration of oxazepam and oxazepam glucuronide in oral fluid, blood and serum after controlled administration of 15 and 30 mg oxazepam.

Aims: To measure and compare the concentration-time profiles of oxazepam and oxazepam glucuronide in blood, serum and oral fluid within the scope of roadside testing.

Methods: Biological samples were collected from eight male subjects after ingestion of 15 or 30 mg oxazepam on separate dosing occasions with an interval of 7 days. The concentration-time profiles of oxazepam and oxazepam glucuronide were fitted by using a one-compartment model.

Post-mortem cases involving amphetamine-based drugs in The Netherlands. Comparison with driving under the influence cases.

In this study we reviewed the post-mortem cases in the years 1999-2004 that were presented at the Netherlands Forensic Institute. The concentrations of amphetamine-based drugs in femoral blood from cases of suspected unnatural death were compared with concentrations in whole blood from non-fatal cases of driving under the influence (DUI cases) and with literature. Furthermore, the combinations with other drugs and/or alcohol were investigated.

Cognitive, psychomotor and actual driving performance in healthy volunteers after immediate and extended release formulations of alprazolam 1 mg.

Rationale: Alprazolam extended-release (XR) is approved for the treatment of panic disorder. This sustained formulation is absorbed in a delayed manner and is therefore expected to produce fewer and less severe side effects than its immediate release equivalent (alprazolam IR). The effect of alprazolam XR on potentially dangerous daily activities, such as driving a car, is expected to be less as compared to alprazolam IR.