Phenazepam and cannabinomimetics sold as herbal highs in New Zealand
- PMID:22924168
- DOI: 10.1002/dta.349
Phenazepam and cannabinomimetics sold as herbal highs in New Zealand
Abstract
A smokeable product called Kronic, is legally available, sold under five product names, and marketed in New Zealand as containing natural extracts. Two such products called Pineapple Express and Purple Haze were purchased from shops in Auckland city. They were investigated for the presence of synthetic drugs specifically synthesized for recreational purposes. The synthetic cannabinomimetics identified were JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-122, JWH-250, and 1-pentyl-3-(4-methoxybenzoyl)indol. A compound not previously reported in such designer drug preparations 1-butyl-3-(4-methoxybenzoyl)indol was also seen. There was a marked variation in the content of these compounds within a named brand. The pharmaceutical benzodiazepine phenazepam (fenazepam) was identified as a constituent, along with certain cannabinominetics, in nearly all of the Kronic samples examined. Phenazepam has not previously been reported as a constituent of designer drug or herbal high products. The amount of phenazepam was approximately 1 mg per gram of Kronic leaf material. Use of these products could result in severe toxicity.
Similar articles
- Review of detection frequency and type of synthetic cannabinoids in herbal compounds analyzed by Istanbul Narcotic Department of the Council of Forensic Medicine, Turkey.Gurdal F, Asirdizer M, Aker RG, Korkut S, Gocer Y, Kucukibrahimoglu EE, Ince CH.Gurdal F, et al.J Forensic Leg Med. 2013 Aug;20(6):667-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2013.03.041. Epub 2013 Apr 28.J Forensic Leg Med. 2013.PMID:23910858
- Quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry screening for synthetic cannabinoids in herbal blends.Ibáñez M, Bijlsma L, van Nuijs AL, Sancho JV, Haro G, Covaci A, Hernández F.Ibáñez M, et al.J Mass Spectrom. 2013 Jun;48(6):685-94. doi: 10.1002/jms.3217.J Mass Spectrom. 2013.PMID:23722959
- Highly sensitive screening and analytical characterization of synthetic cannabinoids in nine different herbal mixtures.Alves VL, Gonçalves JL, Aguiar J, Caldeira MJ, Teixeira HM, Câmara JS.Alves VL, et al.Anal Bioanal Chem. 2021 Mar;413(8):2257-2273. doi: 10.1007/s00216-021-03199-6. Epub 2021 Feb 11.Anal Bioanal Chem. 2021.PMID:33575815
- Spice/K2 drugs--more than innocent substitutes for marijuana.Zawilska JB, Wojcieszak J.Zawilska JB, et al.Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2014 Mar;17(3):509-25. doi: 10.1017/S1461145713001247. Epub 2013 Oct 29.Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2014.PMID:24169044Review.
- An expanding world of new psychoactive substances-designer benzodiazepines.Zawilska JB, Wojcieszak J.Zawilska JB, et al.Neurotoxicology. 2019 Jul;73:8-16. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.02.015. Epub 2019 Feb 23.Neurotoxicology. 2019.PMID:30802466Review.
Cited by
- The K2/Spice phenomenon: emergence, identification, legislation and metabolic characterization of synthetic cannabinoids in herbal incense products.Brents LK, Prather PL.Brents LK, et al.Drug Metab Rev. 2014 Feb;46(1):72-85. doi: 10.3109/03602532.2013.839700. Epub 2013 Sep 24.Drug Metab Rev. 2014.PMID:24063277Free PMC article.Review.
- 'New/Designer Benzodiazepines': An Analysis of the Literature and Psychonauts' Trip Reports.Orsolini L, Corkery JM, Chiappini S, Guirguis A, Vento A, De Berardis D, Papanti D, Schifano F.Orsolini L, et al.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2020;18(9):809-837. doi: 10.2174/1570159X18666200110121333.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2020.PMID:31933443Free PMC article.Review.
- Designer Benzodiazepines: A Review of Toxicology and Public Health Risks.Brunetti P, Giorgetti R, Tagliabracci A, Huestis MA, Busardò FP.Brunetti P, et al.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021 Jun 11;14(6):560. doi: 10.3390/ph14060560.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021.PMID:34208284Free PMC article.Review.
MeSH terms
Substances
Related information
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources