Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025

High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry
Published on: April 23, 2019
Lead Contamination in Opium, Opium Tincture, and Methadone Oral Solution, in Iran
Mitra Rahimi1, Mohammad Amin Eshraghi1, Shahin Shadnia1
1Toxicology Research Center, Excellence Center of Clinical Toxicology AND Department of Clinical Toxicology, Loghman Hakim Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
The present study is conducted with the aim to assess the lead contamination in opium tincture, methadone oral solution, and opium.
Methods:
10 samples from each of the matters of opium tinctures, methadone oral solutions, and opium (provided by the Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran) were collected. Then, an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to measure lead concentration in each of the samples. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software. A P value of 0.05 or less was considered to be statistically significant (Two-tailed).
Findings:
In this study, the amount of lead measured in all samples was equal or less than 5 parts per million (ppm) and the only exception was the lead level of 5.6 ppm in one of the opium tincture samples, which was slightly higher than the standard lead level.
Conclusion:
The results of the current study showed that lead was present in opium tincture, methadone oral solution, and opium, but it was not in toxic levels. It is reasonable for opium derived medicinal products, but the low levels of lead in opium may need to be addressed at different times in different regions of the country.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Enhanced Elimination of Poison
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Drug Regulation
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Drug Analysis Methods

