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Blood concentrations of new psychoactive substances belonging to benzodiazepine class

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Abstract

Purpose

There has been a global increase in the number and availability of new psychoactive substances (NPS) belonging to the benzodiazepine class. New benzodiazepines are much more dangerous to health and life than pharmaceutical benzodiazepines. These substances have been associated with many deaths. Interpreting own results usually requires a comparison to previously published cases; therefore, a referenced compilation of previously published concentration data would be useful.

Methods

The data collection was based on a search of PubMed, Scopus, and Google search engine. All available data from articles and reports that measured new benzodiazepine concentrations in plasma, serum, or whole blood were included in the data analysis.

Results

The presented tables list the observed concentrations in fatal and nonfatal cases involving 13 NPS belonging to the benzodiazepine class.

Conclusions

The interpretation of the concentrations of the NPS belonging to the benzodiazepine class is difficult. Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and other drugs as well as other factors often contribute to toxic effects or deaths in real cases. This report enables quick access to the source articles quantifying new benzodiazepines.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Toxicology Research, Kasztanowa 45, 55-093, Borowa, Poland

    Karolina Nowak

  2. Institute of Forensic Research, Westerplatte 9, 31-033, Krakow, Poland

    Piotr Adamowicz

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  1. Karolina Nowak
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  2. Piotr Adamowicz
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Correspondence to Piotr Adamowicz.

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Nowak, K., Adamowicz, P. Blood concentrations of new psychoactive substances belonging to benzodiazepine class. Forensic Toxicol 39, 377–384 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-021-00581-y

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