Analysis of diacetylmorphine, caffeine, and degradation products after volatilization of pharmaceutical heroin for inhalation

Journal of Analytical Toxicology
Marjolein G KlousJ H Beijnen

Abstract

Pharmaceutical smokable heroin was developed for a clinical trial on medical co-prescription of heroin and methadone. This product, consisting of 75% w/w diacetylmorphine base and 25% w/w caffeine anhydrate, was intended for use via "chasing the dragon", that is, inhalation after volatilization. This procedure involves heating the powder mixture, which may lead to formation of degradation products that could subsequently be inhaled. We developed a method that used a high-performance liquid chromatography system that was compatible with photodiode-array detection and mass spectrometric detection to separate diacetylmorphine- and caffeine-related compounds in a wide polarity range for analysis of the vapor. This method was used to analyze the contents of the plastic drinking straws that were used by patients to inhale the vapors from pharmaceutical heroin used via chasing the dragon, which were considered to be representative of the vapors the patients inhaled. They contained primarily unchanged diacetylmorphine, its main metabolite 6-acetylmorphine, caffeine, and some morphine. Several unidentified peaks were observed in the straw chromatograms. Chemical structures were proposed for nine degradation products: morphine derivative...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 23, 2015·Drug and Alcohol Review·Hana MorrisseyDavid P Thomas
Apr 14, 2015·Drug Testing and Analysis·Suzanne Bell, Corey Nida
May 18, 2007·Analytical Chemistry·T A BrettellJ R Almirall
Apr 14, 2010·European Neuropsychopharmacology : the Journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Peter BlankenJan M van Ree

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