title: Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicology of new psychoactive substances (NPS): 2C-B, 4-fluoroamphetamine and benzofurans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, the number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) appearing on the illicit drug market has shown a marked increase. Although many users perceive the risk of using NPS as medium or low, these substances can pose a serious health risk and several NPS have been implicated in drug-related deaths. In Europe, frequently detected NPS are 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B), 4-fluoroamphetamine (4-FA) and benzofurans (5-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (5-APB) or 6-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (6-APB)). However, little is known about the health risks of these specific NPS.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this paper, existing literature on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 2C-B, 4-FA and benzofurans (5-APB/6-APB) was reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our review showed that the clinical effects of 2C-B, 4-FA and benzofurans (5-APB/6-APB) are comparable with common illicit drugs like amphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Therefore, NPS toxicity can be handled by existing treatment guidelines that are based on clinical effects instead of the specific drug involved. Even so, information on the health risks of these substances is limited to a number of case reports that are complicated by confounders such as analytical difficulties, mislabelling of drugs, concomitant exposures and interindividual differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To aid in early legislation, data on clinical effects from poisons centres and user fora should be combined with (in vitro) screening methods and collaboration on an (inter)national level is essential. As a result, potentially hazardous NPS could be detected more quickly, thereby protecting public health.
authors.affiliation: National Poisons Information Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: A.vanLonkhuyzen@umcutrecht.nl.
authors.forename: Johanna J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Nugteren-van Lonkhuyzen
authors.affiliation: National Poisons Information Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: A.vanRiel@umcutrecht.nl.
authors.forename: Antoinette J H P
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van Riel
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos Institute), Department of Drug Monitoring, Da Costakade 45, 3521 VS Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: TBrunt@trimbos.nl.
authors.forename: Tibor M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Brunt
authors.affiliation: National Poisons Information Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: L.Hondebrink@umcutrecht.nl.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hondebrink
mesh_terms: D000662:Amphetamines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004118:Dimethoxyphenylethylamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D001572:Benzofurans; D004118:Dimethoxyphenylethylamine; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; C040639:4-fluoroamphetamine; C079321:2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine
keywords: Clinical; Designer drugs; Legal highs; Research chemicals; Toxicology