Toxicological Analysis of Cases of Mixed Poisonings with Synthetic Cathinones and other Drugs of Abuse.

Some of the most commonly used new psychoactive substances (NPSs) are synthetic cathinones (SCs). The literature increasingly indicates that SCs have a significant addictive potential and pose a high risk to human health and life. The vast majority of SC users take a number of substances simultaneously. Presented article lists the detected concentrations in 26 fatal and 2 non-fatal real cases, in which SCs or an SC along with other substances were determined in blood and other biological materials. The following SCs were found most often: α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone, α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone, N-ethylpentedrone (NEP), 4-methyl-α-ethylaminopentiophenone, and N-ethylhexedrone. In addition to detected SCs, the analysed samples showed the presence of conventional drugs such as methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, amphetamine, and NPSs from groups other than SCs, i.e. synthetic cannabinoids (UR-144 and 5-F-AMB), synthetic opioids (AH-7921, U-47700, and 4-fluorobutyrfentanyl), and others (desoxypipradrol and etizolam). The quantitative analyses were carried out by LC-MS/MS. This study presents pioneering data on concentrations and effects of 4-ethylmethcathinone, NEP, N-ethylbuphedrone, and mexedrone. Also noteworthy are the data on SCs that until now have rarely been described in the literature together with specified blood concentrations. The analysed cases of taking SCs were associated with fatal intoxication (n=26), driving under the influence of drugs (n=2), and death caused by beating (n=1). Taking SCs has serious side effects that can lead to multiple organ failure and death. The use of more than one psychoactive substance simultaneously (including at least one SC) contributes to increased SC toxicity. This data could be valuable for further interpretation of other results from toxicological analyses.