Morbidity involving the hallucinogenic designer amines MDA and 2C-I

J Forensic Sci. 2009 Nov;54(6):1485-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01199.x.

Abstract

A case is presented of a 39-year-old woman who suffered severe debilitation because of a hemorrhagic stroke in the context of substance abuse. The patient presented to the emergency room with rapidly diminishing mental status, hypertension, and vasoconstriction; her friends provided a history of ingestion of cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and 2C-I, a novel designer amine. A multi-targeted LC-MS/MS method for sympathomimetic amines and related drugs in urine detected and quantified 2C-I and MDA, while ruling out MDMA. The cause of the stroke was determined to be an underlying cerebrovascular abnormality called Moyamoya, secondary to substance abuse. In clinical laboratories, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) confirmation of a positive amphetamine immunoassay is usually directed only towards amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA and MDA. This report demonstrates the utility of testing for a wider menu of compounds using LC-MS/MS in order to better characterize the prevalence and toxicities of novel amines such as 2C-I.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / adverse effects*
  • 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / analysis
  • Adult
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Designer Drugs / adverse effects*
  • Designer Drugs / analysis
  • Dimethoxyphenylethylamine / adverse effects
  • Dimethoxyphenylethylamine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Dimethoxyphenylethylamine / analysis
  • Female
  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Hallucinogens / adverse effects*
  • Hallucinogens / analysis
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / etiology*
  • Moyamoya Disease / complications
  • Moyamoya Disease / diagnosis
  • Quadriplegia / etiology
  • Stroke / etiology*
  • Substance Abuse Detection / methods
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications

Substances

  • Designer Drugs
  • Dimethoxyphenylethylamine
  • Hallucinogens
  • 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine
  • 4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxy-beta-phenethylamine