toxiology

Toxicology

The study of poisons

Postmortem Drug testing

Drug testing with the goal of determining whether drugs were the cause or contributing factor in a death

Work Place Drug Testing

Testing job applicants and employees for illegal drugs in their system

Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (The stages in which a drug moves through the body)

ADME stands for

Opiates

A large class of drugs distinguished by their ability to caused euphoria and relieve pain. Includes: Oxycodone, Fentanyl, morphine, heroin

Depressants

Opiates are classified as...

Amphetamine

A large class of drugs that creates an excitatory condition, wakefulness and euphoria. Includes: methamphetamines,

Stimulants

Amphetamines are classified as...

Anorexic

Appetite Supressent

Cocaine

Substance derived from the erythroxylin cocoa plant that creates and excitatory condition, state of wakefulness and euphoria

Cannabinoids

Marijuana and other parts of the plant Cannabis with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as the active ingredient

Stimulant

Cocaine is classified as...

Depressants

Cannabinoids are classified as..

Polypharmacy

A mixture of drugs

Gas Chromatography

Gas flowing through a coated tube separates compounds by their size, weight and chemical reactivity with the coating of the tube or column

Cyanide

Toxic chemical inhibits the electron transport chain in the mitochondria of cells. Most toxic in its gaseous state. Levels above 2500 ng/ml are fatal.

Carbon Monoxide

Toxic gas that is formed in combustion. This gas binds to hemoglobin more tightly than blood and prevents the blood from carrying oxygen. Levels above 60% in the blood are fatal.

Methemoglobin

Oxidized form of hemoglobin. The antidote to cyanide poisoning.

Immunoassays

Tests using antibodies that react with a drug or substance that recognizes the antibody

Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC)

The use of a solvent that travels through a porous medium to separate compounds based on their chemical affinity with the solvent and the medium

GC-MS

Acronym of Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry

Mass Spectrometry

Technique based on the detection of vaporized molecules and their ionized fragments. The detection and display of the spectra are based on the mass-to-charge ratios of the ions.

LC-MS

Analytical instrument that combines a liquid chromatography with a mass spectrometery. Detects more compounds than than GC-MS

Tandem Mass Spectrometers (LC-MS^n)

A detection system with more than one mass spectrometer in a series. (n refers to the number of MS units)

Colorimetric testing

A device used to characterize color using a spectrometer. Used to test for the presence of metals.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

A form of mass spectrometry used to detect inorganic materials and metals

Toxicogenomics

A persons genetic factors that effect the efficacy of a drug or poison in their system

Toxicokinetics

How drugs and poisons move through the body

LD50

Dose of poison that kill 50% of the population

Postmortem Redistribution

Concentration changes in a drug that occur after death as the drug is redistributed throughout the body.

Controlled Substances Act (CSA)

Legislation in the US that defines illegal drugs and classifies them by Schedules

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

The US government agency responsible for regulation of controlled drugs

Schedule I Drugs

Drugs with a high potential for abuse and addiction and no accepted medical application (Heroin, LSD, marijuana)

Schedule II Drugs

Drugs with a high potential for abuse and addiction but some accepted medical uses. ( Morphine, cocaine methamphetamine)

Schedule III Drugs

Drugs with a lower potential for abuse and addiction and accepted medical use. ( anabolic steroids, codeine and barbiturates)

Schedule IV drugs

Drugs with a fairly low risk for abuse and addiction with many accepted medical uses. ( Valium)

Schedule V Drugs

Drugs with almost no risk for abuse/ addiction and many medical uses. ( Codeine cough medicines)

Cutting Agents

Something added to a illicit drug to reduce its concetration

SWGDRUG

Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs

ASTM

American Society for Testing and Materials

Botanical Examinations

Study of various plant structures, such as roots, stems, branches, leaves, fruits, or flowers, that may be used to determine if the plants are controlled substances. (Marijuana, Peyote)

Wet Chemical Procedures

Procedures that involve solvents, extractions, ect. not instrumental

Microcrystalline tests

A reaction between the compound of interest and chemical reagent that results in the formation of uniform crystals that can be observed with the microscope

Extraction

Separation of a compound of interest from the rest of the solution.

Physical Extraction

Separating a compound by physical size

Dry Extraction

Extraction uses a solvent to dissolve and remove the compound of interest

Liquid/Liquid Extraction

Using a liquid to dissolve another liquid substance and remove it from a mixture

Infrared Spectrophotometry ( IR Spectroscopy)

Using the absorption of infrared radiation to produce a chemical fingerprint of a substance.

Clandestine Drug Laboratoreis

Illicit location that manufactures controlled substances

Vitreous Humor

Ocular fluid that is used as a sample for postmortem toxicology testing.

Phencyclidine

A schedule I drug that causes uses to experience severe psychotic manifestations. Was once used as a surgical anesthetic

Hallucinogen

Psychoactive drug that induces hallucinations or alters sensory experiences

Designer Drug

Drug synthesized with particular pharmaceutical characteristics, designed for abuse and evasion of drug laws

NIDA

National Institute of Drug Abuse

Arsenic

What poison is tasteless odorless and lethal in small doses?

Lead

What heavy metal causes a blue line along the gums?

Steroids (?)

Original treatment for hypogonadism?

Acetaldehyde

Alcohol produces____________ as it is metabolized in the liver

Opiates

Narcotics are classified as part of which group of drugs?