Citation

Tuv SS, Bergh MS, Vindenes V, Karinen R. Traffic Injury Prev. 2016; 17(1): 1-4.

Affiliation

a Norwegian Institute of Public Health , Division of Forensic Sciences , PO-4404, Nydalen N-0403 Oslo , Norway.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15389588.2015.1036157

PMID

25874580

Abstract

Methiopropamine (MPA; 1-(thiophen-2-yl)-2-methylaminopropane) belongs to the new psychoactive substances (NPS) which have emerged on the drug marked over the last years. MPA appeared in 2011 and is an analogue of methamphetamine, sold as e.g. "Slush Eric" and "Blow". It is reported to have similar effects as methamphetamine, but the toxicity in humans is not known. Three fatal cases involving MPA have been reported. One analytical confirmed intoxication case has been published, and this supports the symptoms described by the users. The prevalence of recreational use of MPA is unknown, and no studies have reported the prevalence in driving under the influence of drug (DUID) cases. We have investigated the frequency of MPA in DUID cases received at our institute during a 12 week period, and report the analytical method using an UPLC-MS/MS for quantification of MPA in whole blood. The analytical findings were compared to the results from a clinical test of impairment performed by a physician shortly after the driving. The samples were analysed for 42 different psychoactive substances, and MPA was detected in ten DUID cases (0.8% of the cases), only from male drivers. Other drugs were detected concomitantly in all the cases. Two of the cases were traffic accidents. Our study shows that MPA is found in DUID cases and reveals that NPS are used among drivers, and also proven in blood from drivers involved in traffic accidents. More studies are requested regarding the pharmacological and toxicological effects of MPA and other NPS. This is the first paper that describes a method for analysing and quantifying MPA in whole blood samples.

Language: en