Cannabidiol (CBD) vape pen usage has been on the rise given the changing political and scientific climate as well as the promotion of these delivery systems as a more accessible and lower-risk option for consumers. Despite being marketed as a safer way to use cannabis, CBD vape liquids are sold without restrictions or meticulous quality control procedures such as toxicological and clinical assessment, standards for product preservation, or investigative degradation analyses. Nine CBD-labeled vape liquid samples purchased and manufactured in the United States were evaluated and assessed for cannabinoid content.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBenzodiazepines are a commonly prescribed class of drugs that have the potential for abuse. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office received drug seizure submissions that included novel and/or nonroutine benzodiazepines of increasing prevalence from 2017 to 2019. This prompted the development of a method of analysis for these compounds in biological specimens.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study demonstrates the validation of a semi-quantitative method for the rapid screening of whole blood and urine specimens using clonazepam as the target molecule for the Neogen® Benzodiazepine kit. Decision points were validated at 10.0 ng/mL for whole blood and 25.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme 2B6 plays a significant role in the stereo-selective metabolism of (S)-methadone to 2-ethyl-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine, an inactive methadone metabolite. Elevated (S)-methadone can cause cardiotoxicity by prolonging the QT interval of the heart's electrical cycle. Large inter-individual variability of methadone pharmacokinetics causes discordance in the relationship between dose, plasma concentrations and side effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMethadone is difficult to administer as a therapeutic agent because of a wide range of interindividual pharmacokinetics, likely due to genetic variability of the CYP450 enzymes responsible for metabolism to its principal metabolite 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP). CYP3A4 is one of the primary CYP450 isoforms responsible for the metabolism of methadone to EDDP in humans. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of CYP3A4 genetic polymorphisms in accidental methadone fatalities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantitation of oxymorphone (OM) in human whole blood and liver. Sample preparation was done by solid-phase extraction, using deuterated OM as the internal standard. Separation was achieved using a Waters Aquity UPLC HSS T3 column.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhenazepam is a benzodiazepine derivative that has been in clinical use in Russia since 1978 and is not available by prescription in the United States; however, it is attainable through various internet websites, sold either as tablets or as a reference grade crystalline powder. Presented here is the case of a 42-year old Caucasian male who died as the result of combined phenazepam, morphine, codeine, and thebaine intoxication. A vial of white powder labeled "Phenazepam, Purity 99%, CAS No.
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