The unprecedented emergence in recent years of potentially dangerous new psychoactive substances (NPS) not under international control has led to their increased abuse, hospital emergency admissions, and sometimes fatalities. NPS, while often marketed as “legal” alternatives to classic drugs of abuse, may pose a public health risk. In fact, the number of new substances continuously identified, their availability through online vendors and the limited toxicological and pharmacological information available represent a highly challenging issue in the bioanalytical, clinical, and forensic fields. International NPS diffusion has become a highly concerning problem, also they induce frequent conditions of tolerance and dependence although the literature on the subject is still fragmented and under development. As regards NPS bioanalysis, the recent scientific literature is consistent and agrees in recommending the use of mass spectrometry-based methods for screening and analysis, especially when coupled to effective separative techniques and sample preparation approaches.
Chapter 20 - New Psychoactive Substances: An Overview
Mercolini, Laura
2019
Abstract
The unprecedented emergence in recent years of potentially dangerous new psychoactive substances (NPS) not under international control has led to their increased abuse, hospital emergency admissions, and sometimes fatalities. NPS, while often marketed as “legal” alternatives to classic drugs of abuse, may pose a public health risk. In fact, the number of new substances continuously identified, their availability through online vendors and the limited toxicological and pharmacological information available represent a highly challenging issue in the bioanalytical, clinical, and forensic fields. International NPS diffusion has become a highly concerning problem, also they induce frequent conditions of tolerance and dependence although the literature on the subject is still fragmented and under development. As regards NPS bioanalysis, the recent scientific literature is consistent and agrees in recommending the use of mass spectrometry-based methods for screening and analysis, especially when coupled to effective separative techniques and sample preparation approaches.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
