Prevalence of dihydrocodeine in hydrocodone positive postmortem specimens.

Hydrocodone (HC) has received renewed interest in the US due to reported increases in opiate related deaths involving psychotherapeutic drugs. The relative contribution of dihydrocodeine (DHC) in these deaths is unknown since little testing of this compound is performed. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of DHC in HC positive decedents and report the range of concentrations detected in these cases in order to evaluate the potential role of DHC in the deaths and determine the usefulness of including this analyte in opioid testing protocols.

Measurement of 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxy-carbamazepine in serum and plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Background: Oxcarbazepine is an antiepileptic drug (AED) used to treat partial seizures as a monotherapy or adjunctive therapy. Oxcarbazepine is metabolized in the liver to its active metabolite, 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxy-carbamazepine (MHD). Optimal therapeutic effect and minimal toxicity can be achieved through monitoring MHD.