Metabolic fate of hallucinogenic NBOMes

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2,5-dimethoxy-N-benzylphenethylamines (NBOMes) are very potent 5-HT2AR agonists. Illicit use of these psychedelic compounds has emerged in recent years, and several fatalities have been linked to their recreational use. In its [11C]-labelled form, one NBOMe (25B-NBOMe) was recently developed as a PET-ligand for clinical investigations of the 5HT2AR ([11C]Cimbi-36). Herein, we have identified the phase I and phase II metabolites of 25B-NBOMe in pigs as well as in humans. We find that the primary route of metabolism is 5'-demethylation, followed by conjugation to glucuronic acid. [11C]-labelling of 25B-NBOMe in three different positions followed by in vivo evaluation in pigs and in humans corroborated these findings.

Original languageEnglish
JournalChemical Research in Toxicology
Volume29
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)96–100
Number of pages5
ISSN0893-228X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

ID: 151839371