Pharmacokinetics of ‘party pill’ drug N-benzylpiperazine (BZP) in healthy human participants

Abstract There have been many reports of benzylpiperazine (BZP) and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) being used as recreational drugs which have been widely marketed in the form of ‘party pills’ since the late 1990's. However, there is no information currently available describing the ph...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forensic science international 2009-04, Vol.186 (1), p.63-67
Main Authors: Antia, U, Lee, H.S, Kydd, R.R, Tingle, M.D, Russell, B.R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Biological Availability
Blood
BZP
Drug dosages
Forensic medicine
Forensic sciences
Forensic Toxicology
General aspects
Half-Life
Humans
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Male
Mass spectrometry
Medical research
Medical sciences
Metabolites
Molecular Structure
Pathology
Pharmacokinetics
Piperazines - blood
Piperazines - pharmacokinetics
Piperazines - urine
Plasma
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
Urine
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Summary:Abstract There have been many reports of benzylpiperazine (BZP) and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) being used as recreational drugs which have been widely marketed in the form of ‘party pills’ since the late 1990's. However, there is no information currently available describing the pharmacokinetics of these drugs in humans. Human plasma concentrations of BZP were measured in blood and urine samples taken from healthy adults ( n = 7) over 24 h following a 200 mg oral dose of BZP. Plasma concentrations of BZP were found to peak at 262 ng/mL ( Cmax ) and 75 min ( Tmax ). Plasma concentrations of the major metabolites of BZP, 4-OH BZP and 3-OH BZP, were found to peak at 7 ng/mL (at 60 min) and 13 ng/mL (at 75 min) respectively. The elimination half-life ( t1/2 ) for BZP was found to be 5.5 h. Clearance (Cl/F) was found to be 99 L/h. The results of this study indicate that BZP may be detectable in plasma for up to 30 h following an oral dose. Additionally, several urinary metabolites can be detected.
ISSN:0379-0738
1872-6283
DOI:10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.01.015