Newly Emerging Drugs of Abuse.
Kenichi Tamama, Michael J Lynch
Handbook of experimental pharmacology January 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1007/164_2019_260 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractNewly emerging synthetic drugs are increasingly used recreationally, and their prevalence is likely underestimated. This review covers the epidemiology, chemistry, pharmacophysiology, clinical effects, laboratory detection, and clinical treatment for five classes: opioids (fentanyl, its analogues, and mitragynine), cannabinoids (THC analogues, alkylindoles, cyclohexylphenols, and indazole carboxamides), stimulants and hallucinogens (β-keto amphetamines, pyrrolidinophenones, and dimethoxyphenethylamines), dissociative agents (3-MeO-PCP, methoxetamine, 2-oxo-PCE), and sedative-hypnotics (gabapentin, baclofen, clonazolam, etizolam). Coordinating hospital, medical examiner, law enforcement, and laboratory services is critically important to respond to these emerging threats.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Cannabinoids Dissociative agent Drug abuse Opioids Sedative-hypnotic |
| Key finding | Recreational use of newer synthetic drugs is increasing, and their prevalence is likely underestimated, requiring coordinated response across hospital, medical examiner, law enforcement, and laboratory services. |
Abstract
Drug use and the associated overdose deaths have been a serious public health threat in the United States and the world. While traditional drugs of abuse such as cocaine remain popular, recreational use of newer synthetic drugs has continued to increase, but the prevalence of use is likely underestimated. In this review, epidemiology, chemistry, pharmacophysiology, clinical effects, laboratory detection, and clinical treatment are discussed for newly emerging drugs of abuse in the following classes: (1) opioids (e.g., fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and mitragynine), (2) cannabinoids [THC and its analogues, alkylindole (e.g., JWH-018, JWH-073), cyclohexylphenol (e.g., CP-47,497), and indazole carboxamide (e.g., FUB-AMB, ADB-FUBINACA)], (3) stimulants and hallucinogens [β-keto amphetamines (e.g., methcathinone, methylone), pyrrolidinophenones (e.g., α-PVP, MDPV), and dimethoxyphenethylamine ("2C" and "NBOMe")], (4) dissociative agents (e.g., 3-MeO-PCP, methoxetamine, 2-oxo-PCE), and (5) sedative-hypnotics (e.g., gabapentin, baclofen, clonazolam, etizolam). It is critically important to coordinate hospital, medical examiner, and law enforcement personnel with laboratory services to respond to these emerging threats.