N-Ethylpentedrone: first hair detection and human metabolic profiling across multiple biological matrices using UHPLC-HRMS, molecular networking and in silico prediction.
Agathe Pasquet, Romain Pelletier, Roxane Rouah et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 29-year-old man was found deceased after using N-ethylpentedrone (NEP) in a chemsex context. Analysis of three bags containing NEP confirmed a purity above 98%. Postmortem examinations revealed high concentrations of NEP in peripheral and cardiac blood, as well as in hair, indicating both acute intoxication and chronic use. Six Phase I metabolites were identified across multiple biological matrices.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
The detection of NEP and its metabolites in various biological matrices, including hair, highlights the importance of comprehensive toxicological analysis in cases of suspected drug-related fatalities.
Why it matters
Understanding the metabolic profile of NEP can aid in the development of better monitoring strategies for NPS use, enhancing public health responses to emerging drug threats.