A Case of Nonfatal Intoxication Associated with the Recreational use of Diphenidine.
Enrico Gerace, Elena Bovetto, Daniele Di Corcia, Marco Vincenti, Alberto Salomone
Journal of Forensic Sciences July 1, 2017 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13355 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | 30-year-old Caucasian male |
| Keywords | Designer drugs Diphenidine Dissociative drugs Forensic science Intoxication New psychoactive substances |
| Key findings | Acute intoxication from recreational diphenidine abuse was confirmed by toxicological analysis and clinical presentation. |
Abstract
Diphenidine is a dissociative drug that shows several psychotropic effects including euphoria, shifts in perception of reality, hallucinations, and transient anterograde amnesia. In this study, a case of acute intoxication occurring after diphenidine intake is reported. A 30-year-old Caucasian male was hospitalized after he was found in a confused and agitated state and unable to communicate. The physical examination displayed tachycardia, miotic pupils, and increased both body temperature and respiratory rate. After a liquid-liquid extraction procedure, GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of diphenidine in plasma and urine at concentrations of 308 and 631 ng/mL, respectively. Methylphenidate and diclazepam were also detected in the plasma. The clinical progress of the patient was favorable, and his symptoms were cured with a symptomatic treatment. The combined circumstantial elements and toxicological results of the case reported revealed the occurrence of an acute intoxication ascribable to the recreational abuse of diphenidine.