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Open Access 01-07-2021 | Benzodiazepine | Minireview

A fluorine turns a medicinal benzodiazepine into NPS: the case of flualprazolam

Authors: Panagoula-Stamatina A. Ntoupa, Ioannis I. Papoutsis, Artemisia A. Dona, Chara A. Spiliopoulou, Sotiris A. Athanaselis

Published in: Forensic Toxicology | Issue 2/2021

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing knowledge on flualprazolam, a novel ‘designer’ benzodiazepine that derives from the fluorination of the phenyl moiety in the ortho-position of alprazolam.

Methods

An extensive literature search was carried out in PubMed, Google Scholar and World Wide Web using relevant keywords. All articles found were gathered, and the available information is presented.

Results

This article reviews the existing knowledge on chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, prevalence and current legal status of flualprazolam. Moreover, forensic and clinical cases where flualprazolam was involved worldwide, as well as flualprazolam seizures, along with the methods for its determination in biological samples are presented.

Conclusions

The recent flualprazolam-related cases have raised concerns to regulatory authorities and international stakeholders suggesting that flualprazolam should be under international control. The urgent international control of flualprazolam, despite the limited information on clinical effects and pharmacologic characteristics available, is an important measure for the prevention of its increasing abuse worldwide.

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Title: A fluorine turns a medicinal benzodiazepine into NPS: the case of flualprazolam
Authors: Panagoula-Stamatina A. Ntoupa
Ioannis I. Papoutsis
Artemisia A. Dona
Chara A. Spiliopoulou
Sotiris A. Athanaselis
Publication date: 01-07-2021
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Keyword: Benzodiazepine
Published in: Forensic Toxicology / Issue 2/2021
Print ISSN: 1860-8965
Electronic ISSN: 1860-8973
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-020-00565-4

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A fluorine turns a medicinal benzodiazepine into NPS: the case of flualprazolam

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Abstract

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