A rapid and specific HPLC method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of diazepam and its main active metabolites, desmethyldiazepam, oxazepam and temazepam in human plasma. Plasma samples were extracted using toluene. HPLC system included a Chromolith Performance RP-18e 100 mm x 4.6mm column, using 10mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5)-methanol-acetonitrile (63:10:27, v/v) as mo...

An extensive study on the presence of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals with potential for abuse in sewage waters was made for the first time in the Netherlands. A total number of 24 target drugs were investigated in influent and effluent wastewater using liquid chromatography coupled to a high resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometer. This powerful analyzer has allowed not only the detection and ...

The glucuronidation of 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA), a newly developed anticancer drug, was investigated in vitro to determine factors likely to affect the elimination of this compound in patients. Human liver microsomal DMXAA glucuronidation followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with a mean apparent Km of approximately 100 microM. Two cDNA-expressed UGT isoforms, UGT1*02 and UGT2...

INTRODUCTION There are many common drugs which have significant sedative-hypnotic properties. Alcohol and barbiturates have been discussed separately in this appendix, and their many pharmacological similarities were indicated. Barbiturates are often considered the prototype of sedative-hypnotic drugs; pharmacologically related compounds are frequently identified or discussed in terms of their ...

The pathophysiology of alcohol withdrawal is complex and still not fully understood in spite of intensive research. The variety of different theories accounts for the fact that at least 150 different drugs and drug combinations have been reported to be useful in the treatment of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS; Walinder and Svenson, 1989). Benzodiazepines are the most commonly used substan...

A simple and reliable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for identifying and quantifying psychoactive drugs in oral fluid is described. Substances under investigation were: psychostimulant drugs (amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxiamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine, phentermine), cocaine and metabolites (benzoylecgonine, c...

BACKGROUND Immunoassay screening is used by pain physicians to determine compliance with controlled substances. Because clinical use of pain medications is different from illicit drug use, there is a need to evaluate the level of diagnostic accuracy of this procedure for the pain patient. OBJECTIVE To compare the results of automated screening by immunoassay with analysis by Liquid Chromatogr...

Objective: Studies have shown that older people suffer from chronic diseases more than other age groups, resulting in more consumption of drugs. Age-related changes in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs alter drug disposition and response to medications in elderly patients. Recognizing these medications and avoiding their prescription for the elderly prevents the adverse effects...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present preliminary study was to explore the prevalence of nonmedical abuse of benzodiazepines in a group of opiate-dependent patients who were on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program in outpatient clinics in the south-west of Tehran, Iran. METHODS 114 male and female opiate-dependent clients who met DSM.IV-TR criteria for opiate dependence with mean age ...

INTRODUCTION There are many common drugs which have significant sedative-hypnotic properties. Alcohol and barbiturates have been discussed separately in this appendix, and their many pharmacological similarities were indicated. Barbiturates are often considered the prototype of sedative-hypnotic drugs; pharmacologically related compounds are frequently identified or discussed in terms of their ...