Citation

Gerace E, Bovetto E, Di Corcia D, Vincenti M, Salomone A. J. Forensic Sci. 2017; 62(4): 1107-1111.

Affiliation

Centro Regionale Antidoping "A. Bertinaria", Regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043, Orbassano, Turin, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1556-4029.13355

PMID

28597920

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.

© 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Language: en

Keywords

designer drugs; diphenidine; dissociative drugs; forensic science; intoxication; new psychoactive substances