Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “DRUG ADULTERATION”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

The indirect detection of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in beverages as evidence of product tampering.

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) has been identified as the adulterant in a relatively large number of product tamperings that have been investigated by the Forensic Chemistry Center (FCC) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In this work, household bleach was added to 23 different beverages at each of three levels. The impact of sodium hypochlorite on these beverages over a 13-day study period was evaluated using the following techniques: diphenylamine spot test for oxidizing agents, potassium iodide-starch test paper for oxidizing agents, pH, iodometric titration for quantitating hypochlorite, ion chromatography for chloride and chlorate quantitation, automated headspace sampling with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) for determination of chloroform, and visual and organoleptic observations. This study has shown that hypochlorite is fragile when added to most common beverages and typically breaks down either partially or completely over time. In cases where a beverage is suspected of being adulterated with bleach but tests for hypochlorite are negative, it is still possible to characterize the product to demonstrate that the results are consistent with the addition of bleach. An adulterated product will give a positive test for oxidizing agents using the diphenylamine spot test. It is likely that the pH of the adulterated product will be higher than a control of that product. Ion chromatographic analysis shows elevated chloride and chlorate as compared with a control. And, chloroform may also be detected by GC-FID especially if the beverage that was adulterated contains citric acid.

Beverages↗
PubMed1990

[Narcotic abuse in Jylland. A study based on narcotics and deaths of addicts examined at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus during the period 1981-1988. 1. Narcotics].

On the basis of analysis of 1,879 samples of narcotics confiscated in Jutland and Funen during the period 1981-1988, the individual types of drugs are described as regards occurrence and quality. Cannabis and heroin were found in the illegal market during the entire period. Amphetamine was rarely observed prior to 1985 but comprised half of the illegal drugs examined in 1988. Cocaine was encountered in only 1% of the samples. Designer drugs were not seen. Heroin occurred relatively most frequently in Aarhus, Odense and Esbjerg while amphetamine and cannabis were found in all parts of Jutland and Funen. The samples of heroin and amphetamine varied greatly as regards strength and the types and quantities of cutting agents. The majority of the samples were adulterated and/or diluted with substances such as caffeine and phenazone and the sugars, glucose and lactose.

Amphetamine↗
PubMed2006

Voltammetric determination of mefenamic acid at lanthanum hydroxide nanowires modified carbon paste electrodes.

Lanthanum hydroxide nanowires modified carbon paste electrode (LNW/CPE) exhibiting an electrocatalytic response toward the oxidation of mefenamic acid (MFA) is described. The catalytic action of the LNW/CPE on the oxidation of MFA via one-electron and one-proton transfer is attributed to the formation of the porous construction and the increase of efficient surface of the electrode due to the adulteration of LNW with carbon powders. Using the LNW/CPE, a linear sweep voltammetric method for the determination of MFA and other drugs with diphenylamine parent is proposed. A linear range of 2.0 x 10(-11) to 4.0 x 10(-9)mol L(-1) is obtained along with a detection limit of 6.0 x 10(-12)mol L(-1).

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1991

An ethopharmacological approach to the development of drug addiction.

In a rat model of alcoholism, different stages of the development towards a drug addiction can be discriminated. During the phase of "controlled" intake, drug consumption is reversibly modified by the social situation (housing conditions) and the individual's social role (in particular his dominance rank). In Wistar rats, this period lasts about half a year. During the next few months, the consumption of ethanol rises without a concomitant loss of its behavioral effects. After an abstinence period of nine months, the rats maintain a high preference for alcohol which cannot be suppressed by adulteration with (unpleasantly tasting) quinine. Ethanol-taking behavior can no longer be modified by external stimuli or by dominance rank. This irreversible state is called "behavioral dependence." It is drug-specific (i.e., other drugs like diazepam cannot substitute the alcohol) and not related to physical dependence. In behaviorally dependent rats, the effects of ethanol are altered; very low doses tranquillize the rats, higher ones stimulate them.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An evaluation of TLC systems for opiate analysis.

The authors selected 38 thin-layer-chromatography (TLC) systems described in the available literature published over the last 10 years and evaluated those systems with respect to their suitability for detection and identification of opiates in urine, opium and heroin, as well as adulterants in heroin. A total of 14 substances: 8 opiates (morphine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, diacetylmorphine, codeine, acetylcodeine, noscapine, papaverine and thebaine) and 6 adulterants (ephedrine, quinine, methadone, caffeine, cocaine and strychnine) were used as test samples for this research. Using laboratory-coated plates and pre-coated plates, 15 and 13 TLC systems, respectively, were found to be able to detect and identify morphine and codeine in urine without interference from the remaining 12 substances. For the detection of opiates in opium samples as well as opiates and adulterants in illicit heroin samples the TLC system: chloroform-n-hexane-triethylamine (9:9:4) which was developed by the National Drug Research Centre, Penang, Malaysia, was found to be most suitable on both laboratory-coated and pre-coated plates. In addition, the following two systems, one on laboratory-coated plates--hexane-chloroform-diethylamine (50:30:7)--and the other on pre-coated plates--benzene-dioxane-ethanol-ammonia (50:40:5:5; T-7)--were also found to be among most suitable TLC systems for the analysis of opiates in opium samples. The article also presents the relative cost of each of the 38 evaluated TLC systems.

Chromatography, Thin Layer↗
PubMed1995

Anticholinergic poisoning due to Chinese herbal medicines.

Serious poisoning may occur following the consumption of Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) containing anticholinergics. The great majority of cases are probably related to the use of yangjinhua, the dried flower of Datura metel L, for treating bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, pains and flu symptoms. In some cases the use of CHM contaminated by atropine-like substances or fake herbs were suspected. Some ginseng (Panax ginseng) preparations might have been adulterated with Mandragora officinarum (scopolamine) and other herbs.

Cholinergic Antagonists↗
PubMed2006

Drug-induced hypoglycaemia--new insight into an old problem.

OBJECTIVE: To review the causes of drug-induced hypoglycaemia in patients not taking hypoglycaemic medications. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Regional hospitals in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Patients with suspected drug-induced hypoglycaemia without a known history of exposure to hypoglycaemic agents, referred to the Hospital Authority Toxicology Reference Laboratory from June 2005 to March 2006 inclusive. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of positive cases, laboratory findings, possible causes, age distribution, and final outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 51 such patients were referred, in whom the presence of oral hypoglycaemic agents was detected (or inferred) in 23 (45%). In 12 of the 23 patients, oral hypoglycaemic agents could only be detected by target analysis, not through broad-spectrum screening. Gliclazide and glibenclamide were detected in 14 and eight patients respectively, whereas glimepiride, nateglinide and rosiglitazone were detected in the remaining patient. Possible sources of oral hypoglycaemic agents included drug administration errors in residential care homes for the elderly (n=9), mistakenly taking medication of a family member or employer (n=6), taking stock medication by mistake (n=2), taking Chinese proprietary medicine adulterated with oral hypoglycaemic agents (n=1), taking unknown pills bought from a retail pharmacy (n=1), and unknown (n=4). Regarding these 23 patients, 17 (74%) were aged 70 years or above and 21 (91%) recovered uneventfully. CONCLUSION: Hypoglycaemia due to inadvertent use of oral hypoglycaemic agents is a recognised problem, particularly in cases where family members living in the same household are taking similar medications. Possible drug administration errors in residential care homes for the elderly should be investigated, and procedures rectified if confirmed. Health care providers should be vigilant to such potential errors, especially in cases of unexplained hypoglycaemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Medical marijuana and its use by the immunocompromised.

BACKGROUND: Those immunocompromised by AIDS or cancer chemotherapy use marijuana to allay symptoms of their disease or treatment. Some researchers believe that marijuana may further suppress the immune system. A list of immunological hazards that may be present in marijuana was collated and assessed, and clinical recommendations regarding the use of marijuana by immunocompromised individuals were made. METHODS: Databases and other sources from 1964 to 1996 were searched using keywords (e.g., cannabinoids, cannabis, hemp, marijuana). This was supplemented by a manual search of bibliographies, nonindexed books, and journals, and by consultation with experts. All reports were analyzed for antecedent sources. Data validity was assessed by source, identification methodology, and frequency of independent observations. RESULTS: Substances implicated as potential immunological hazards in marijuana include endogenous constituents (cannabinoids, pyrolyzed gases, and particulates) and a longer list of exogenous contaminants, both natural (fungi and their metabolites) and synthetic (pesticides and adulterants). CONCLUSION: Burning of marijuana creates toxins of combustion. Particulate toxins (tars) are reduced by the use of vaporizer apparati. Gas-phase toxins are filtered by water pipes, but water pipes also filter some tetrahydrocannabinol, making this strategy counterproductive. Viable fungal spores in marijuana pose the greatest hazard to immunocompromised patients, though they can be sterilized by several methods. Pesticide residues and other adulterants may be present in black-market marijuana, but are absent in sources of marijuana that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Cannabis↗
PubMed2004

Drug problem in southeast and southwest Asia.

In 2002, the drug problem in Southeast and Southwest Asia was serious, particularly in the production of opium and heroin in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Laos, the three largest producers of illicit opium in the world. The increasing illicit manufacture of ATS, particularly methamphetamine, in Southeast Asia, mainly in China and Myanmar, was also a major concern. Some reports indicated that ephedrine, used for illicitly producing methamphetamine in Southeast Asia, is diverted and smuggled out of China and India, whereas caffeine, the adulterant used for producing methamphetamine tablets, is mainly smuggled into Myanmar through its border with Thailand. Seizure data showed a dramatic increase in trafficking in MDMA through Southeast Asia. In terms of the drug epidemic, in 2002, cannabis remained overall the main drug of abuse in all of the countries of Southeast and Southwest Asia. Opiates, mainly opium and heroin, were also the drugs of choice except in Thailand, where opiate abuse declined, but ATS was the main drug of abuse due to its low cost and availability. A significant increase in ATS abuse, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and MDMA among the youth who smoked, sniffed, and inhaled them was reported in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand. Injecting drug use among opiate abusers has been identified as the prime cause of the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in Southeast and Southwest Asia.

Asia, Southeastern↗