First death involving 4-Fluoroethylphenidate (4F-EPH): case-report, user experiences, and review of the related literature

John Martin Corkery; Fabrizio Schifano

doi:10.1177/19253621221142480

First death involving 4-Fluoroethylphenidate (4F-EPH): case-report, user experiences, and review of the related literature

John Martin Corkery, Fabrizio Schifano

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Abstract

Background: 4-Fluoroethylphenidate (4F-EPH) is a psychoactive substance, sold primarily over the Internet as a ‘research chemical’. Recreational and ‘functional’ use of this drug has been reported by online user fora. Scientifically-based data on the pharmacological, physiological, psychopharmacological, toxicological, and epidemiological characteristics of this molecule is non-existent. The aim of this paper is to remedy this situation.

Methods: Recent literature (including ‘grey’) was searched to update what is known about 4F-EPH, especially its toxicity. This was supplemented by netnographic examinations of internet sites.

Results: The resultant information is presented, including details of the first reported death involving 4F-EPH use in 2016. There are no international controls imposed on 4F-EPH. However, it has been made a controlled drug in several European countries, including the United Kingdom since 31 May 2017, as well as Canada.

Conclusions: It is vital that any other cases, including non-fatal overdoses, are documented so that a firmer scientific evidence-base can be established for this molecule. This will then help inform clinical practice.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	149-166
Number of pages	18
Journal	Academic Forensic Pathology
Volume	12
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/19253621221142480
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2022

Keywords

Forensic pathology
Death
toxicity
4F-EPH
4-Fluoroethylphenidate
Ethyl 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(piperidin-2-yl)acetate
p-Fluoroethylphenidate

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© 2022 The Author(s). This is the accepted manuscript version of an article which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1177/19253621221142480
Accepted author manuscript, 447 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

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title = "First death involving 4-Fluoroethylphenidate (4F-EPH): case-report, user experiences, and review of the related literature",

abstract = "Background: 4-Fluoroethylphenidate (4F-EPH) is a psychoactive substance, sold primarily over the Internet as a {\textquoteleft}research chemical{\textquoteright}. Recreational and {\textquoteleft}functional{\textquoteright} use of this drug has been reported by online user fora. Scientifically-based data on the pharmacological, physiological, psychopharmacological, toxicological, and epidemiological characteristics of this molecule is non-existent. The aim of this paper is to remedy this situation.Methods: Recent literature (including {\textquoteleft}grey{\textquoteright}) was searched to update what is known about 4F-EPH, especially its toxicity. This was supplemented by netnographic examinations of internet sites.Results: The resultant information is presented, including details of the first reported death involving 4F-EPH use in 2016. There are no international controls imposed on 4F-EPH. However, it has been made a controlled drug in several European countries, including the United Kingdom since 31 May 2017, as well as Canada.Conclusions: It is vital that any other cases, including non-fatal overdoses, are documented so that a firmer scientific evidence-base can be established for this molecule. This will then help inform clinical practice.",

keywords = "Forensic pathology, Death, toxicity, 4F-EPH, 4-Fluoroethylphenidate, Ethyl 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(piperidin-2-yl)acetate, p-Fluoroethylphenidate",

author = "Corkery, {John Martin} and Fabrizio Schifano",

note = "{\textcopyright} 2022 The Author(s). This is the accepted manuscript version of an article which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1177/19253621221142480",

year = "2022",

month = dec,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1177/19253621221142480",

language = "English",

volume = "12",

pages = "149--166",

journal = "Academic Forensic Pathology",

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AU - Corkery, John Martin

AU - Schifano, Fabrizio

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Y1 - 2022/12/1

N2 - Background: 4-Fluoroethylphenidate (4F-EPH) is a psychoactive substance, sold primarily over the Internet as a ‘research chemical’. Recreational and ‘functional’ use of this drug has been reported by online user fora. Scientifically-based data on the pharmacological, physiological, psychopharmacological, toxicological, and epidemiological characteristics of this molecule is non-existent. The aim of this paper is to remedy this situation.Methods: Recent literature (including ‘grey’) was searched to update what is known about 4F-EPH, especially its toxicity. This was supplemented by netnographic examinations of internet sites.Results: The resultant information is presented, including details of the first reported death involving 4F-EPH use in 2016. There are no international controls imposed on 4F-EPH. However, it has been made a controlled drug in several European countries, including the United Kingdom since 31 May 2017, as well as Canada.Conclusions: It is vital that any other cases, including non-fatal overdoses, are documented so that a firmer scientific evidence-base can be established for this molecule. This will then help inform clinical practice.

AB - Background: 4-Fluoroethylphenidate (4F-EPH) is a psychoactive substance, sold primarily over the Internet as a ‘research chemical’. Recreational and ‘functional’ use of this drug has been reported by online user fora. Scientifically-based data on the pharmacological, physiological, psychopharmacological, toxicological, and epidemiological characteristics of this molecule is non-existent. The aim of this paper is to remedy this situation.Methods: Recent literature (including ‘grey’) was searched to update what is known about 4F-EPH, especially its toxicity. This was supplemented by netnographic examinations of internet sites.Results: The resultant information is presented, including details of the first reported death involving 4F-EPH use in 2016. There are no international controls imposed on 4F-EPH. However, it has been made a controlled drug in several European countries, including the United Kingdom since 31 May 2017, as well as Canada.Conclusions: It is vital that any other cases, including non-fatal overdoses, are documented so that a firmer scientific evidence-base can be established for this molecule. This will then help inform clinical practice.

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KW - toxicity

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KW - 4-Fluoroethylphenidate

KW - Ethyl 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(piperidin-2-yl)acetate

KW - p-Fluoroethylphenidate

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DO - 10.1177/19253621221142480

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SN - 1925-3621

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EP - 166

JO - Academic Forensic Pathology

JF - Academic Forensic Pathology

IS - 4

ER -

First death involving 4-Fluoroethylphenidate (4F-EPH): case-report, user experiences, and review of the related literature

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Keywords

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