Journal of Analytical Toxicology
September 16, 2015
Justin L. Poklis, Stephen A. Raso, Kylie N. Alford et al.
93 citations
NBOMe derivatives, a class of designer hallucinogenic drugs that act as 5-HT2A receptor agonists, have become popular drugs of abuse and can cause severe intoxications, including serotonin-like syndrome with bizarre behavior, severe agitation, and seizures lasting up to 3 days. The most commonly reported derivatives are 25I-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, and 25C-NBOMe, often sold on blotter paper. Analysis of three commercial blotter papers using Direct Analysis in Real Time mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry found each contained a different major NBOMe derivative, along with minute amounts of two or three other NBOMe derivative impurities.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
October 20, 2014
Joji Suzuki, Justin L. Poklis, Alphonse Poklis
60 citations
A case report describes a suicide attempt following ingestion of a substance believed to be LSD, but laboratory analysis identified it as 25I-NBOMe, a synthetic hallucinogen of the NBOMe class. The authors emphasize that clinicians should suspect NBOMe ingestion in patients who report recent use of LSD or other hallucinogens, as adverse effects are increasingly reported.
Chirality
January 1, 1990
Robert L. Fitzgerald, Robert V. Blanke, Alphonse Poklis
50 citations
The pharmacokinetics of MDMA enantiomers were studied in rats using iliac arterial cannulation. Intravenous and subcutaneous routes were tested at two dose levels each. The average half-life for (−)-(R)-MDMA was 2.5 ± 0.8 hours and for (+)-(S)-MDMA was 2.2 ± 0.8 hours. (+)-(S)-MDMA was cleared more rapidly than (−)-(R)-MDMA, consistent with area under the curve data for the parent drug and its primary metabolite MDA. The mean AUC S/R ratios for MDMA and MDA were 0.70 ± 0.05 and 3.1 ± 0.8, respectively. After a 20 mg/kg intravenous dose, the percent dose excreted as (−)-(R)-MDMA, (+)-(S)-MDMA, (−)-(R)-MDA, and (+)-(S)-MDA were 20 ± 10, 12 ± 6, 3 ± 1, and 6 ± 2, respectively.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
January 1, 1979
Alphonse Poklis, Mary Ann Mackell, Wk Drake
25 citations
MDA is a potent central nervous system stimulant with effects similar to both amphetamine and mescaline. It causes peripheral vasoconstriction, tachycardia, pupillary dilation, and at high doses can lead to convulsions, hyperthermia, and behavioral changes. The 3,4-methyleneoxy group gives it psychopharmacological properties like mescaline. At a threshold dose of 80 mg, it produces marked perceptual distortions starting about 60 minutes after oral ingestion and lasting up to 8 hours. Subjective effects include intensified feelings, self-insight, and a strong desire to communicate. High doses may cause hallucinations.
Clinical Chemistry
May 1, 1988
José Manuel Ramos, R.l. Fitzgerald, Alphonse Poklis
10 citations
The Abbott TDx amphetamine/methamphetamine reagents show cross-reactivity with MDMA and MDA, meaning these drugs can produce false-positive results when testing for amphetamines. This finding has implications for forensic toxicology and clinical drug testing, as it may lead to misidentification of substances.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
October 1, 2015
Justin L. Poklis, Sara K Dempsey, Kai Liu et al.
Fifteen metabolites of the designer hallucinogen 25I-NBOMe were identified in mouse liver microsomal preparations and in urine from two intoxicated patients. One patient's urine contained the parent drug and all fifteen metabolites; the other contained only three O-desmethyl metabolites. Two major urinary metabolites were synthesized. The authors recommend using β-glucuronidase hydrolysis before screening and using the metabolite M5 as the primary biomarker for detecting 25I-NBOMe use.
Psychosomatics
January 1, 2015
Joji Suzuki, Michael A Dekker, Erin S Valenti et al.
A systematic review of 20 patients with confirmed NBOMe ingestion found that these synthetic hallucinogens cause severe toxicity. 25I-NBOMe was the most common analogue. Fatalities occurred in 3 cases (15%). Common adverse effects included agitation (85%), tachycardia (85%), hypertension (65%), and seizures (40%). Many patients (40%) required intensive care unit admission. Laboratory abnormalities such as elevated creatinine kinase (45%) were frequent. Clinicians should suspect NBOMe ingestion in patients who recently used hallucinogens.
Biomedical Chromatography
December 1, 2013
Justin L. Poklis, Jezelle Charles, Carl E. Wolf et al.
A new high-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method was developed to detect and quantify two designer drugs, 2CC-NBOMe and 25I-NBOMe, in the serum of intoxicated emergency department patients. The method uses solid-phase extraction and is linear over 30–2000 pg/mL, with a detection limit of 10 pg/mL for both compounds. Applied to two severely intoxicated patients, serum concentrations of 25I-NBOMe were 250 and 2780 pg/mL. The method is suitable for clinical toxicology testing.