Citation

Shu C, Gong D, Chang J, Hua W, Zhao J, Zhao J. Forensic Science and Technology 2021; 46(2): 182-186.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021)

DOI

10.16467/j.1008-3650.2021.0045

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Flunitrazepam, one kind of benzodiazepine-categorized drugs, is effectual of pharmacological sedation and hypnosis, yet being worldwide abused into suicide, murder, drugging to sexually assault and/or loot. In recent years, it has also become one of the popular nightclub drugs in conjunction of other drugs and particular the alcohol, resulting in prominent toxic effects of wide social concern. Flunitrazepam is almost completely metabolized through liver, having brought forth two major metabolites: 7-aminoflunitrazepam and N-desmethylflunitrazepam. The 7-aminoflunitrazepam can greatly exceed the concentration of its unchanged parent drug in blood or plasma samples, leaving approximate 90% of its metabolites to be excreted through urine and the rest 10% into feces. The flunitrazepam and its metabolites can be detected from specimens of blood, plasma, urine, hair and others with various methods including capillary electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, chromatography and the combination of relevant techniques. GC-MS is a sensitive and specific choice for detection of flunitrazepam whose metabolites are yet required to derivatize prior to analysis. HPLC allows the simultaneous separation of flunitrazepam and its metabolites without prior derivatization, being highly recognized of its coupling with MS detection to result in better sensitivity and specificity than with UV detection. This paper summarizes flunitrazepam of its poisoning from abusing, metabolism in vivo, and the detection technologies about itself and metabolites, aiming to provide references for peers and investigation of relevant cases. © 2021, Editorial Office of Forensic Science and Technology. All rights reserved.

Language: zh

Keywords

Poisoning; Drug abuse; Flunitrazepam; Determination method