Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone)-related deaths.

Four deaths related to the drug 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone) are reported. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of mephedrone was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode-array detection. Of the four deaths, one was attributed to the adverse effects of mephedrone, with cardiac fibrosis and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease as a contributing factor.

CYP2B6 and OPRM1 gene variations predict methadone-related deaths.

The largest proportion of methadone-associated deaths occurs during the drug induction phase. We analysed methadone-related fatalities for gene variations linked with methadone action. A significant association between high methadone concentrations and the CYP2B6*6 allele characteristic of the slow metabolizer phenotype was identified.