title: Genetic toxicology of abused drugs: a brief review.
abstract: Although numerous studies have been conducted on abused drugs, most focus on the problems of addiction (dependence) and their neurotoxicities. Now accumulated data have demonstrated that the genotoxicity and/or carcinogenicity of abused drugs can also be detrimental to our health. In this review, commonly abused substances, including LSD, opiates (diacetylmorphine, morphine, opium and codeine), cocaine, cannabis, betel quid and khat, are discussed for their potential genotoxicity/carcinogenicity. The available literature in the field, although not as abundant as for neurotoxicity, clearly indicates the capability of abused drugs to induce genotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: National Narcotics Bureau, Department of Health, Executive Yuan (Cabinet), Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. nbjhligt@ms3.hinet.net
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001114:Areca / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000633:toxicity; D002188:Cannabis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000633:toxicity; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity*; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000633:toxicity; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000633:toxicity; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D018570:Risk Assessment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D009153:Mutagens; D009294:Narcotics; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; D003042:Cocaine