The synthetic cannabinoid 5F-MDMB-PICA: A case series

5F-MDMB-PICA has been detected in products sold on the internet as well as in biological samples since 2016. It is associated with serious adverse health and behavioral effects and even death. Herein we report on twelve cases with proven 5F-MDMB-PICA consumption, including three fatalities, four cases of driving under the influence of drugs and five other criminal acts. In these cases, 5F-MDMB-PICA was detected in postmortem blood or serum. Concentrations ranged from 0.1-16ng/mL. In some blood (serum) and urine samples, the hydrolysis metabolite of 5F-MDMB-PICA (M12) could also be detected. In this case series, co-consumption with other drugs occurred in 9 of 12 cases, most commonly alcohol, cannabis and other contemporary SCs. In five cases, 4F-MDMB-BINACA was also detected. The described cases demonstrate various adverse effects that might be associated with 5F-MDMB-PICA. Observed physical adverse effects were mainly balance deficiencies and ocular effects such as reddened conjunctivae, glassy eyes and delayed or unresponsive pupil light reactions. Observed mental and behavioral effects were mainly changing moods, aggression, confusion, erratic behavior, mental leaps, disorientation, slowed reaction, logorrhea and slurred speech. Due to the fast changing market of synthetic cannabinoids, data on such new appearing substances are basically scarce. Because of the limited number of studies on pharmacological properties of synthetic cannabinoids, reports of findings in human samples along with corresponding case history descriptions can be valuable for the interpretation of upcoming routine cases.