title: Mistaking 2C-P for 2C-B: What a Difference a Letter Makes.
abstract: 2,5-Dimethoxy-4(n)-propylphenethylamine (2C-P) is a synthetic phenethylamine derivative belonging to the large family of the so-called 2C drugs. These compounds can differ significantly in receptor affinity, potency and duration of action, and an important structural difference is the ligand in the 4 position of the phenyl ring, such as propyl in 2C-P or bromine in 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine (2C-B). The 2C drugs are known for their hallucinogenic properties. We present a case of a 19-year-old male admitted to the emergency department with severe hallucinations, mydriasis, tachycardia, agitation and confusion following the use of a substance sold as 2C-B. By using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, the more potent substance 2C-P was detected and quantified. On the basis of two blood sample concentrations, the estimated elimination half-life was 19 h. This case report illustrates and discusses the differences in potency and duration of action of 2C drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Clinical Pharmacology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stoller
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology.|Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Patrick C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Dolder
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bodmer
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology.
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hammann
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Katharina M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rentsch
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Aristomenis K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Exadaktylos
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology.
authors.forename: Matthias E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Liechti
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Clinical Pharmacology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland evangelia.liakoni@insel.ch.
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Liakoni
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004118:Dimethoxyphenylethylamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006207:Half-Life; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000097:blood* / Q000506:poisoning*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D015878:Mydriasis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000097:blood* / Q000506:poisoning*; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C487778:2,5-dimethoxy-4-n-propylthiophenethylamine; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004118:Dimethoxyphenylethylamine; D006213:Hallucinogens; D010627:Phenethylamines; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D006220:Haloperidol; C079321:2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine