Journal Title
Title of Journal: Forensic Sci Med Pathol
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Abbravation: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology
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Authors: Dimitri Gerostamoulos Olaf H Drummer Noel W Woodford
Publish Date: 2015/03/15
Volume: 11, Issue: 3, Pages: 478-478
Abstract
Over the last 5 years there has been an influx of novel designer drugs mostly illegal which are intended to mimic the effects of cannabis synthetic cannabinoids Many of these compounds are created by research groups attempting to find an analog of cannabis that can be used therapeutically to treat pain and other conditionsPB22 1pentyl8quinolinyl ester1Hindole3carboxylic acid is a relatively new synthetic cannabinoid which has cannabis like activity and possibly other as yet unknown effects There is no published data on the pharmacodynamics pharmacokinetics or toxicology of PB22 However a recent publication has reported 4 deaths associated with use of 5FPB22 which is a derivative of PB22 1 Although synthetic cannabinoids have been reported in association with sudden death the precise pathophysiological mechanisms by which death occurs remain obscureWe have identified three cases in Victoria over a recent 4 month period all of which have PB22 as the main toxicological finding In all three cases the cause of death was unascertained following the performance of a full autopsy with ancillary investigations The subsequent identification of this substance raises the question of its possible involvement in the deaths particularly in the absence of a competing cause of deathWe remain unsure about the contribution of PB22 to these deaths however all 3 deaths ages 15–35 occurred at home in the setting of using this drug with no other competing cause of death identified We feel it important that practitioners be aware so they can alert patients who may be experimenting with or using designer drugs such as synthetic cannabinoids The safety of these substances is largely unknown and those with an existing heart condition may be at risk of sudden death when using drugs which can produce unwanted increases in heart rate and blood pressure
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