A methoxydiphenidine-impaired driver
Nicole Stachel, Andrea Jacobsen-Bauer, Gisela Skopp
International Journal of Legal Medicine March 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-015-1280-5 via Springer Nature
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA case of driving under the influence of methoxydiphenidine (MXP) is reported, with a serum concentration of 57 ng/mL detected via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The subject also had amphetamine (111 ng/mL), MDMA (28 ng/mL), and its metabolite (3 ng/mL) present. Symptoms included amnesia, out-of-body experiences, bizarre behavior, and decreased motor abilities. MXP is structurally and pharmacologically similar to phencyclidine and ketamine, acting at the NMDA receptor, suggesting it likely exerts severe psychotropic effects in humans. However, information on human toxicity, duration and intensity of impairing effects, interpretation of blood concentrations, and detectability in routine screenings is lacking. Confirmation analysis may be limited to cases with specific police intelligence.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A single human subject driving under the influence of MXP |
| Keywords | Methoxydiphenidine Dissociative drugs |
| Key finding | MXP was detected in serum at 57 ng/mL in a driver presenting with amnesia, out-of-body experiences, bizarre behavior, and decreased motor abilities, alongside other drugs. |
Abstract
Methoxydiphenidine (MXP) was first reported in 1989 as a dissociative anesthetic but did not enter the market for pharmaceuticals. The substance re-appeared in 2013 as a new psychoactive substance. A case of driving under the influence of MXP is reported. The concentration of MXP has been determined from a serum sample (57 ng/mL) by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry following liquid-liquid extraction. In addition, amphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and its major metabolite were present in concentrations of 111, 28, and 3 ng/mL, respectively. The subject presented with amnesia, out-of-body experiences, bizarre behavior, and decreased motor abilities. At present, information on human toxicity of MXP is not available. MXP is comparable in structure as well as in action at the N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor to phencyclidine or ketamine. Therefore, it is likely that MXP exerts similar severe psychotropic action in man. However, there is no information on the duration and intensity of MXP’s impairing effects, the interpretation of a particular concentration in the blood or serum, and its detectability in routine drug screenings. Confirmation analysis may be confined to cases where the police has specific intelligence that points to MXP use.