title: Intoxications by the dissociative new psychoactive substances diphenidine and methoxphenidine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diphenidine (1-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperidine) and its 2-methoxylated derivative methoxphenidine (MXP, 2-MeO-diphenidine) are substances with dissociative effects that were recently introduced for "recreational" purpose through the online-based sale of new psychoactive substances (NPS). A number of analytically confirmed non-fatal intoxications associated with diphenidine or MXP have occurred in Sweden and were included in the STRIDA project.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational case series of consecutive patients with admitted or suspected intake of NPS and requiring intensive treatment in an emergency room and hospitalization in Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood and urine samples were collected from intoxicated patients presenting at emergency departments all over the country. NPS analysis was performed by multi-component liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods. Data on clinical features were collected during telephone consultations with the Poisons Information Centre and retrieved from medical records. Information was also obtained from online drug discussion forums.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a 12-month period from January to December 2014, 750 cases of suspected NPS intoxication originating from emergency departments were enrolled in the STRIDA project of which 14 (1.9%) tested positive for diphenidine and 3 (0.4%) tested positive for MXP. Co-exposure to several other NPS (e.g., 5-/6-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran, 2-4-bromomethcathinone, butylone, 3,4-dichloromethylphenidate, 5-methoxy-N-isopropyltryptamine, methiopropamine, and α-pyrrolidinopentiothiophenone), also including other dissociative substances (3-/4-methoxyphencyclidine), and classical drugs of abuse (e.g., cannabis and ethanol) was documented in 87% of these cases. The 17 patients were aged 20-48 (median: 32) years, and 13 (76%) were men. They commonly presented with hypertension (76%), tachycardia (47%), anxiety (65%), and altered mental status (65%) including confusion, disorientation, dissociation, and/or hallucinations. Eight patients (47%) displayed severe intoxication (Poisoning Severity Score 3). The diphenidine- or MXP-positive patients required hospitalization for 1-3 (median: 2) days. In addition to standard supportive therapy, half of the cases were treated with benzodiazepines and/or propofol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The adverse effects noted in analytically confirmed cases of NPS intoxication involving diphenidine or MXP were similar to those reported for other dissociative substances such as ketamine and methoxetamine. However, the high proportion of polysubstance use might have played a role in the intoxication and clinical features in some cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Helander
authors.forename: Olof
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Matilda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bäckberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy* / Q000652:urine; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000652:urine; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D011041:Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy* / Q000652:urine; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000652:urine; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D010880:Piperidines; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; C000595747:1-(1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-phenylethyl)piperidine; C000599677:diphenidine
keywords: Diphenidine; Dissociative drugs; LC–MS; Legal highs; Methoxphenidine; NMDA receptor antagonist; New psychoactive substance; Research chemicals; STRIDA project; Severe adverse events