Designer drugs: a medicinal chemistry perspective (II).

Area of Science:

• Forensic Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• Global rise in clandestine new psychoactive substance (NPS) manufacture between 2012-2018.
• Associated increase in drug-related fatalities worldwide.
• NPS are designed to evade existing drug control regulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review medicinal chemistry strategies used in the illicit synthesis of NPS.
• To focus on three major NPS classes: synthetic opioids, synthetic amphetamines, and synthetic cannabinoids.
• To discuss chemical approaches for treating substance use disorders, especially opioid use disorder.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on NPS synthesis and medicinal chemistry.
• Analysis of chemical modifications employed by clandestine laboratories.
• Examination of pharmacological properties influencing NPS potency and duration.

Main Results:

• Clandestine labs exploit medicinal chemistry principles to enhance NPS properties.
• Key modifications aim for increased brain penetration, longer action, and higher potency.
• Synthetic opioids, amphetamines, and cannabinoids represent significant classes of NPS.

Conclusions:

• Medicinal chemistry knowledge is critical for understanding and combating NPS proliferation.
• Novel NPS pose significant public health challenges due to their evolving nature.
• Chemical strategies are being explored for effective treatment of substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder.