4 New Synthetic Drugs on the Streets Identified
Several new synthetic drugs have been identified in labs across the U.S. The world of synthetic drugs has been changing at a rapid pace and it is important for us to keep up with these trends.
N-Ethyl Hexylone
N-Ethyl Hexylone is classified as a CNS Stimulant and substituted cathinone. It is an off-white solid material. It is not currently scheduled. Substituted cathinones are modified based on the structure of cathinone, an alkaloid found in the Khat plant. Novel stimulants have been reported to cause stimulant-like effects, similar to amphetamines. Novel stimulants have also caused adverse events, including deaths, as described in the literature. Structurally similar compounds include N-ethyl pentylone, pentylone, methylone, ethylone and butylone. Pentylone, methylone, and butylone are all Schedule I substances in the United States, while N-ethyl pentylone is not currently scheduled in the United States.
5Cl-AKB48 and 5Br-AKB48
5F-EDMB-PINACA is classified as a synthetic cannabinoid. It is a solid white material. Synthetic cannabinoids have been reported to cause psychoactive effects similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Synthetic cannabinoids have caused adverse events, including deaths, as described in the literature. 5F-ADB (5F-MDMB-PINACA) is a structurally similar synthetic cannabinoid. 5F-ADB is a Schedule I substance in the United States.
N-Methyl Norfentanyl
N-methyl norfentanyl is classified as a suspected fentanyl precursor. It is a solid white material. Fentanyl precursors are modified based on the structure of fentanyl with the absence of notable functional groups or structural features. Fentanyl precursors such as Benzylfentanyl are often used in the synthesis of fentanyl and its analogues.
This is notable since it is a fentanyl precursor. More fentanyl precursors have been identified in the US within the past few months and could be an ominous warning sign.
U48800
U48800 is a synthetic opiate and is not a fentanyl analog. U48800 is structurally similar to U-47700 and U-49900. U-47700 is a Schedule I substance in the United States. People under the influence of this drug will have the same signs of drug influence as a person under the influence of heroin or fentanyl.