TY - JOUR
T1 - Pharmacokinetic comparison of two methods of heroin smoking: 'chasing the dragon' versus the use of a heating device
AU - Klous, Marjolein G.
AU - Huitema, Alwin D. R.
AU - Rook, Elisabeth J.
AU - Hillebrand, Michel J. X.
AU - Hendriks, Vincent M.
AU - van den Brink, Wim
AU - Beijnen, Jos H.
AU - van Ree, Jan M.
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - In preparation for a trial on co-prescription of inhalable heroin and methadone, two methods for inhalation of heroin/caffeine tablets were compared: the commonly used method of 'chasing the dragon' and a standardised procedure for inhalation of volatilised heroin, using a heating device. Five male addicts inhaled a tablet of smokable heroin daily for 5 days, alternating the inhalation method. Plasma concentrations of heroin, 6-acetylmorphine, morphine and morphine-3- and -6-glucuronide were determined using a liquid chromatography method with tandem mass spectrometric detection. The exposure to heroin and its metabolites (expressed as areas under the concentrationtime curve) was significantly lower after smoking via the heating device than after 'chasing the dragon': heroin 80% and 6-acetylmorphine 73% lower (p <0.05). Maximal concentrations of heroin and 6-acetylmorphine were also 80% and 70% lower (p <0.05) after using the heating device. 'Chasing the dragon' is a more efficient inhalation method than inhalation via the heating device. (c) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V. and ENCP
AB - In preparation for a trial on co-prescription of inhalable heroin and methadone, two methods for inhalation of heroin/caffeine tablets were compared: the commonly used method of 'chasing the dragon' and a standardised procedure for inhalation of volatilised heroin, using a heating device. Five male addicts inhaled a tablet of smokable heroin daily for 5 days, alternating the inhalation method. Plasma concentrations of heroin, 6-acetylmorphine, morphine and morphine-3- and -6-glucuronide were determined using a liquid chromatography method with tandem mass spectrometric detection. The exposure to heroin and its metabolites (expressed as areas under the concentrationtime curve) was significantly lower after smoking via the heating device than after 'chasing the dragon': heroin 80% and 6-acetylmorphine 73% lower (p <0.05). Maximal concentrations of heroin and 6-acetylmorphine were also 80% and 70% lower (p <0.05) after using the heating device. 'Chasing the dragon' is a more efficient inhalation method than inhalation via the heating device. (c) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V. and ENCP
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2004.12.001
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2004.12.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 15820414
SN - 0924-977X
VL - 15
SP - 263
EP - 269
JO - European neuropsychopharmacology
JF - European neuropsychopharmacology
IS - 3
ER -