Drug Identification and Toxicology
1. Poison
Naturally occurring or manufactured substance
that can cause severe harm or death if ingested,
inhaled, absorbed, or injected.
2. Toxin
Poisonous substance produced by certain plants,
animals, or bacteria; capable of causing disease
or death (subgroup of poisons).
Toxicity and Toxic Agents
Toxicity
• degree to which a substance is poisonous or can
cause harm
• important factors:
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–
–
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dose (how much)
duration (how long)
exposure (inhale, ingest, inject)
nature of the drug (how it interacts with body
other substances)
and
Toxic Agents– alcohol, drugs, heavy metals, solvents
& vapors, radiation, pesticides, and plant/animal
toxins
Brief History
Hemlock, 399 BC
By 17th century, people were quite adept at
using poisons to kill people, especially arsenic.
Murder by poison not popular anymore. Why?
(easier to get gun that controlled substances)
Screening for Drugs
Screening Tests
Most widely used: TLC, Immunoassay, and
Color Tests:
Marquis
Cobalt Thocyanate
Dilli-Koppanyi
VanUrk
Duquenois-Levine
Drug______
Heroin, Morphine,
Amphetamines
Cocaine
Barbituates
LSD
Marijuana
Molecular Structures of Narcotics and
Stimulants
amphetamine
Marquis Reagent
Test for opiates (heroin, morphine, codeine),
cocaine, and amphetamines
Cobalt thiocynate Test
a.k.a. Scott Test
Cocaine-- Positive test results in blue solution
Dillie-Koppanyi Test
Test for barbituate turns solution violet-blue
VanUrk Test
Positive test results in blue-purple solution
Molecular Structure of LSD
( D-lysergic acid diethylamide)
Marijuana
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol )
Duqenois-Levine Reagent
Purple color is a positive test; ibuprofin can
cause a false positive
Immunoassay
Used to detect a variety of drugs in saliva, urine
Detection Period of Drugs