title: Pharmacokinetic properties of the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 and of its metabolites in serum after inhalation.
abstract: Each year, synthetic cannabinoids are occurring in high numbers in the illicit drug market, but data on their pharmacology and toxicology are scarcely available. Therefore, a pilot study was performed to assess adverse effects of JWH-018, which is one of the oldest and best known synthetic cannabinoids. Six subjects inhaled smoke from 2 and 3mg JWH-018. The drug and nine of its metabolites were analyzed in their blood samples taken during the following 12h by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS). The maximum concentration of JWH-018 reached 2.9-9.9ng/ml after inhalation and markedly decreased during the next 1.5h, followed by a multiexponential decline (t1/2in median 1.3h and 5.7h). The concentration of the pentanoic acid metabolite was slightly higher than that of the 3-, 4- and 5-hydroxypentyl metabolites and of the 6-hydroxyindol metabolite. The data also suggest a multiexponential decline and slow terminal elimination of JWH-018 and all metabolites. The detection of JWH-018 and of its metabolites in serum requires high analytical sensitivity. The pharmacokinetic properties of inhaled JWH-018 are similar to that of THC. A slow terminal elimination of drug and metabolites may lead to accumulation in chronic users.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Electronic address: toennes@em.uni-frankfurt.de.
authors.forename: Stefan W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Toennes
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Geraths
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pogoda
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paulke
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Cora
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wunder
authors.affiliation: Department Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Eef L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Theunissen
authors.affiliation: Department Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johannes G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ramaekers
mesh_terms: D002186:Cannabinoids; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007211:Indoles / Q000097:blood*; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000097:blood*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007211:Indoles; D009281:Naphthalenes; C552597:1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole
keywords: JWH-018; Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry; Metabolites; Pharmacokinetics; Synthetic cannabinoids