title: Pharmacokinetic comparison of two methods of heroin smoking: 'chasing the dragon' versus the use of a heating device.
abstract: In preparation for a trial on co-prescription of inhalable heroin and methadone, two methods for inhalation of heroin/caffeine tablets were compared: the commonly used method of 'chasing the dragon' and a standardised procedure for inhalation of volatilised heroin, using a heating device. Five male addicts inhaled a tablet of smokable heroin daily for 5 days, alternating the inhalation method. Plasma concentrations of heroin, 6-acetylmorphine, morphine and morphine-3- and -6-glucuronide were determined using a liquid chromatography method with tandem mass spectrometric detection. The exposure to heroin and its metabolites (expressed as areas under the concentration-time curve) was significantly lower after smoking via the heating device than after 'chasing the dragon': heroin 80% and 6-acetylmorphine 73% lower (p < 0.05). Maximal concentrations of heroin and 6-acetylmorphine were also 80% and 70% lower (p < 0.05) after using the heating device. 'Chasing the dragon' is a more efficient inhalation method than inhalation via the heating device.
authors.affiliation: Slotervaart Hospital, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Louwesweg 6, P.O. Box 90440, 1006 BK Amsterdam, The Netherlands. apmlk@slz.nl
authors.forename: Marjolein G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Klous
authors.forename: Alwin D R
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Huitema
authors.forename: Elisabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Rook
authors.forename: Michel J X
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hillebrand
authors.forename: Vincent M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Hendriks
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van den Brink
authors.forename: Jos H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Beijnen
authors.forename: Jan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Van Ree
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006207:Half-Life; D003932:Heroin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012906:Smoke
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D009294:Narcotics; D012906:Smoke; D002110:Caffeine; D003932:Heroin