Clinical Pharmacokinetics
February 14, 2017
Patrick C. Dolder, Yasmin Schmid, Andrea E. Steuer et al.
134 citations
After oral administration, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) reaches peak plasma concentrations of 1.3 ng/mL (100 µg dose) and 3.1 ng/mL (200 µg dose) within about 1.5 hours, with a plasma half-life of 2.6 hours. Subjective effects last 8 to 12 hours depending on dose, and peak effects occur around 2.5 to 2.8 hours after ingestion. A close relationship exists between LSD concentration and subjective response within individuals, but no correlation was found between plasma levels and effects across different people at peak concentration. The effects are related to changing plasma concentrations over time, without evidence of acute tolerance.
Journal of Neuroendocrinology
February 6, 2016
Petra Strajhar, Yasmin Schmid, Evangelia Liakoni et al.
129 citations
A single 200 microgram dose of LSD increases several stress-related steroid hormones in the blood, particularly glucocorticoids like cortisol and corticosterone, in healthy adults. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study with 16 participants, LSD raised plasma levels of cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone, and 11-dehydrocorticosterone compared to placebo, with peak cortisol levels occurring about 2.5 hours after dosing. LSD also increased the androgen dehydroepiandrosterone but did not affect other androgens, progestogens, or mineralocorticoids. The rises in glucocorticoids closely tracked blood LSD concentrations and the intensity of the psychedelic experience, without signs of acute tolerance.
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
June 24, 2015
Patrick C. Dolder, Yasmin Schmid, Manuel Haschke et al.
110 citations
Oral lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) shows dose-proportional pharmacokinetics, with peak concentrations reached about 1.5 hours after ingestion and a terminal half-life of approximately 3.6 hours. The drug's effects are closely related to its blood concentration, with subjective effects lasting up to 12 hours. These findings provide a reference for clinical studies and for assessing LSD intoxication.
Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis
May 26, 2017
Patrick C. Dolder, Matthias E. Liechti, Katharina Rentsch
31 citations
A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated to measure lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and several of its metabolites in human plasma. After controlled administration of 100 μg LSD to 24 healthy subjects, the method accurately and precisely quantified LSD in all plasma samples, with a quantification limit of 0.05 ng/mL. Other compounds—iso-LSD, 2-oxo-3-hydroxy LSD, nor-LSD, lysergic acid monoethylamide, lysergic acid ethyl-2-hydroxyethylamide, 2-oxo-LSD, trioxylated-LSD, and 13/14-hydroxy-LSD—were only sporadically detected at levels too low for quantification.
BMC pharmacology & toxicology
May 26, 2016
Evangelia Liakoni, Patrick C. Dolder, Katharina Rentsch et al.
24 citations
Of 50,624 emergency department visits at a Swiss university hospital over one year, 210 were due to acute recreational drug toxicity. Patients averaged 33 years old, 73% were male. Cocaine (33%), cannabis (32%), and heroin (14%) were the most reported substances; analytical testing confirmed cannabis (33%), cocaine (27%), and opioids excluding methadone (19%) most often. Only two cases involved novel psychoactive substances (NPS): one severe intoxication with PMMA and one minor with 2C-P. Common symptoms included tachycardia (28%), anxiety (23%), nausea or vomiting (18%), and agitation (17%). Severe outcomes included two deaths, two heart attacks, 13 seizures, and six psychosis cases. Most patients (76%) were discharged; 10% required intensive care. Classic drugs like cocaine and cannabis caused most problems, while NPS were rarely seen despite their increased detection elsewhere.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
January 1, 2017
Adrian Stoller, Patrick C. Dolder, Michael Bodmer et al.
19 citations
A 19-year-old male was admitted to the emergency department with severe hallucinations, dilated pupils, rapid heart rate, agitation, and confusion after using a substance sold as 2C-B. Laboratory analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry detected the more potent synthetic phenethylamine derivative 2C-P instead. Based on two blood samples, the estimated elimination half-life was 19 hours. The case illustrates how small structural variations in the 4 position of the phenyl ring, such as a propyl group in 2C-P versus bromine in 2C-B, can lead to significant differences in drug potency and duration of action, contributing to adverse effects.
Annals of emergency medicine
July 1, 2012
Katharina E Hofer, Bettina Grager, Daniel Müller et al.
Methoxetamine, a chemical relative of ketamine, is a new recreational drug not yet tightly regulated in most countries. This report describes the first confirmed case of intravenous methoxetamine abuse, in a 19-year-old man. His symptoms—rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, confusion, agitation, stupor, poor coordination, dilated pupils, and involuntary eye movements—matched known ketamine effects and resolved with supportive treatment. Based on this case, user reports, and the drug's structure, methoxetamine produces ketamine-like effects, and full recovery is expected with medical care.