Abstract
1-Benzylpiperazine (BZP) and 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl) piperazine (TFMPP) are piperazine drugs of abuse often taken in combination. Considering the frequency of the co-administration of BZP and TFMPP in the clinical, analytical and forensic contexts and its toxicological impact, we aimed to implement a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique for the detection and simultaneous quantification of BZP and TFMPP in plasma, urine and cell culture medium.
Highlights
The synthesis and abuse of new psychoactive substances (NPS), including the so-called designer drugs, have greatly increased [1]
In order to decrease the complexity of plasma samples, the protein precipitation before Solid phase extraction (SPE) extraction was considered necessary
The hydrolysis of conjugates before SPE extraction and GC-MS analysis was necessary, since glucuronide and sulfate conjugates are not volatile, precluding the direct analysis. It has been previously described the elimination of BZP and TFMPP as conjugates both in humans [21,25] and animals [26,27,28]
Summary
The synthesis and abuse of new psychoactive substances (NPS), including the so-called designer drugs, have greatly increased [1]. In this context, 1-benzylpiperazine (BZP) and 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (TFMPP) are the piperazines most consumed all over the world. The commercialized forms usually contain larger amounts of BZP than TFMPP, and the most common combination ratio found in seized tablets is 2 BZP: TFMPP [9,10,11,12] These drugs have been massively consumed by the young attenders of electronic music nightclubs and rave parties in Australia, China and UK [13,14,15,16,17], they have been a abuse drug of choice in other European countries, with the EMCDDA drug report of 2017 stating that piperazines corre-
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
