Case report of a fatal 3-hydroxyphencyclidine (3-OH-PCP) intoxication, including blood and hair results.

3-hydroxyphencyclidine (3-OH-PCP) is a hydroxy derivative of phencyclidine, synthesized in 1978 to investigate the structure-activity relationship of phencyclidine derivates. In vitro studies have shown that 3-OH-PCP, like phencyclidine, acts on the NMDA receptor and has a higher affinity for this receptor than phencyclidine. The authors report the case of a 38-year-old man, known for drug addiction, found dead at home with two plastic bags of powders found near his body. Using LC-MS/MS, peripheral blood toxicological analysis revealed consumption of 3-OH-PCP with a concentration of 3-OH-PCP at 524 ng/mL. Blood also tested positive for nordiazepam, methylphenidate, amisulpride, methadone and benzoylecgonine, all at concentrations near those observed after recreational abuse. The blood concentration of 3-OH-PCP is the highest ever reported in the literature. Hair testing also revealed 3-OH-PCP, at 174 pg/mg, which may correspond to a chronic consumption of this molecule. A NMR analysis of the two powders highlighted 3-OH-PCP and 5-Meo-DMT, estimated at 85.4 % and 91.3 % of purity, respectively, using the Electronic Reference To access in vivo Concentrations (ERETIC) method.