[Structure of psychoactive substances determined in medical toxicology laboratory]

Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology and Drug Monitoring, Jagiellonian University Medical College in Kraków performs analysis for patients from Kraków and south-east Poland. The determinations are made for intoxicated patients treated in the Toxicology Ward, for addicted patients treated in Detoxification Unit and other hospitals. The most often determined compounds are psychoactive substances (ethanol, drugs of abuse, psychotropic medicines). The purpose of the paper was to study structure of positive results of some psychoactive substances within seven years. In the study archived data of determinations registered in Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology and Drug Monitoring UJ MC in Kraków in the years 2002-2008 were used. The material was blood and urine samples collected for diagnostic of poisoned and addicted patients. There were used methods: EMIT (amphetamines, benzodiazepines, ecstasy, opiates, THC), FPIA (barbiturates, cocaine, tricyclic antidepressants (TCA)), colorimetric test (phenotiazines), thin layer chromatography (tramal). Annual mean numbers of positive results of psychoactive substances in the years 2002-2008 were: 411.7 for benzodiazepines, 234.1--amphetamines, 195.7--phenotiazines 168.4--opiates, 158.3--THC, 149.9 TCA, 87.9--barbiturates, 23.4--tramal 5.0--cocaine, 3.0--ecstasy. The structure and number of abused psychoactive substances determinations in 2002-2008 was studied. The numbers of positive results of benzodiazepines, amphetamines, THC and opiates were stable. The greatest increase of numbers of positive results was observed for cocaine and ecstasy in the studied period of time.