Methamphetamine Analogue Found in Dietary Supplement

Potentially dangerous levels of the methamphetamine analogue, N, α ‑diethyl‑phenylethylamine (N, α -DEPEA), have been detected in a widely available dietary supplement using ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS). The supplement, Craze, can be bought in the USA and from on-line retailers. The findings have been published in the journal Drug Testing and Analysis by a team of scientists from Harvard Medical School (Massachusetts, USA), NSF International (Missouri, USA), and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment Health Protection Center (Bilthoven, The Netherlands).¹

According to the paper, the study was initiated after a number of athletes failed urine drug screening tests after testing positive for N,α-DEPEA, a banned substance. “Designer drugs” have received increasing attention over recent years as concerns have been raised over the safety of “legal highs” - chemical compounds that are structurally analogous to existing illegal drugs, but have yet to be characterized.

Lead author of the paper Pieter Cohen said: “In recent years banned and untested drugs have been found in hundreds of dietary supplements. We began our study of Craze after several athletes failed urine drug tests because of a new methamphetamine analogue.”

The supplement in question was labelled to contain N,N-diethyl-phenylethylamine (N,N-DEPEA), a compound reported by the manufacturer to be derived from endangered orchids. However, the compound is structurally similar to the banned methamphetamine analogue, N,α-DEPEA. Samples were taken from three different sources purchased in the USA, from an on-line retailer, and from a supplier in Holland to rule out accidental contamination. UHPLC–MS was performed and identified 21 mg to 35 mg of N,α-DEPEA per serving in all three lots.

Cohen said: “The phenylethylamine we identified in Craze, N, α-DEPEA, is not listed on the labelling and it has not been previously identified as a derivative of dendrobium orchids.” He added: “If these findings are confirmed by regulatory authorities, the FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] must take action to warn consumers and to remove supplements containing N,α-DEPEA from sale.” &mdash B.D.

Reference

1. P. Cohen, J.C. Travis, and B.J. Venhuis, Drug Testing and Analysis DOI: 10.1002/dta.1578 (2013)