Authors: Frascht, Martine¹; Schneider, Serge¹; Schuman, Marc²; Wennig, Robert³

Source: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Volume 31, Number 4, May 2007 , pp. 220-223(4)

Publisher: Preston Publications

Abstract:

Scopolamine (hyoscine) is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in solonacea, the so-called “night shade” plants. Therapeutic applications of scopolamine are in ophthalmology to cause mydriasis and for the prevention of motion sickness, among others. It is known to induce hallucinogenic effects at a high dose. The N-butyl bromide derivative of scopolamine, available commercially as Buscopan^®, is commonly used as an antispasmotic. The possibility of forming scopolamine from N-butyl-scopolammonium bromide when burning cigarettes fortified with Buscopan was investigated based on a record of a prison inmate who claimed to experience hallucinations after smoking Buscopan. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in electrospray ionization mode was used to monitor the formation of scopolamine. Various series of eight cigarettes spiked with 10 mg of N-butyl-scopolammonium bromide with and without filters and in different smoking modes were investigated. The smoke of the burning cigarettes, the ashes, and the filter were analyzed for the presence of scopolamine. Scopolamine was detected in all cases.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: National Health Laboratory, Toxicology Division, Luxembourg 2: CRP-Santé, Toxicology Laboratory, Luxembourg 3: National Health Laboratory, Toxicology Division, Luxembourg; and CRP-Santé, Toxicology Laboratory, Luxembourg

Publication date: 2007-05-01

More about this publication?

• The Journal of Analytical Toxicology (JAT), established in 1977 and published 9 times a year, is the international source covering a broad range of clinical, forensic, and industrial laboratory topics regarding the isolation, identification, and quantitation of potentially toxic substances.

  With an emphasis on practical application, JAT articles provide improved and novel techniques for use in clinical, forensic, workplace, sports testing (doping), and other toxicology laboratories. Articles describe newly developed methods in immunoassay testing, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, solid and liquid phase extraction techniques, and other analytical approaches. Worldwide readership includes toxicologists, pathologists, chemists, clinicians, researchers, and educators working in medical examiner and law enforcement laboratories, hospitals, university and independent analytical laboratories, as well as the drug manufacturing industry.

  Each year in October, we publish a special issue from the Society of Forensic Toxicologists.

  JAT, as determined by ISI Citation Index, is one of the two most referenced international journals in forensic science.

• Subscribe to this Title
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Ecology ,  Toxicology
• By this author: Frascht, Martine ;  Schneider, Serge ;  Schuman, Marc ;  Wennig, Robert

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers