From: [d--e] at [unislc.slc.unisys.com] (Dale Clark)
Subject: PCP
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1993 14:57:10 -0600 (MDT)
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P.C.P.
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GENERAL INFO
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Phencyclidine. 1-(1-Phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine; angel dust; HOG;
PCP; CI-395. C17 H25 N. US pat. 3,097,136 (1960, 1963 to Parke,
Davis). Investigated in 1950s as human anesthetic. Melting point
(crystals) 46-46.5F. Melting point (HCl), C17 H26 ClN, 243-244F.
Melting point (Hydrobromide) 214-218F. Very stable, not degraded
by temperatures normally used in cooking or freezing foods.
STRUCTURE
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COMMERCIAL DRUG NAMES
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Sernyl, Sernylan.
LD-50
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Orally in imice: 76.5 mg/kg.
ACTIONS
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PCP has emerged as an important drug of abuse. It is not easily
classified and should be considered separately from hallucinogenic
drugs. It has a bewildering number of effects in the CNS, and its
neuropharmacology is only poorly understood.
PCP was tested in the 1950s because of an ability to isolate humans
from noxiouis sensory input (dissociative anesthesia). It was
withdrawn because individuals often experienced severe anxiety,
delusional states, or frank psychosis postoperatively. Clinical
testing stopped in 1962, and PCP appeared as a street drug in 1967.
Initially sold deceptively as "THC" in recent years it has
established its own market. Although once available as a
veterinary anesthetic, essentially all street material results
from illegal synthesis, not difficult to perform. Most PCP
contaminants result from makeshift manufacture, causing the
color to range from tan to brown, and the consistency from a
powder to a gummy mass. Although sold in tablets and capsules
as well as in powder or liquid form, it is usually applied
to a leafy material, such as parsley, mint, oregano, or marijuana.
Occasionally injected or ingested, it is most frequently sprinkled
on smoking material (parsley, mint leaves, tobacco, marijuana)
combusted, and inhaled. In recent years, much random violence
and crime has been attributed to users of PCP, although as with
past horror stories, this is not often well documented. Since
the frequent reports of problems with PCP in 1978, the number of
reports has declined significantly. Its current use and the
attention directed to that use have declined.
Along with PCP, there are other precursor (those from which the
drug is made) or analog chemicals being sold illicitly that have
the same or even more devastating effects. The latter (analogs)
are chemicals that are similar in nature to PCP - the only
difference is that a molecule or two has been changed in the
structure. The similar chemicals, created in illicit labs,
include: 1-phenylcyclohexylamine, 1-piperidinocyclohexanecarbonitrile
(PCC), N-ethyl-1-phenylcyclohexylamine (PCE), 1-(1-phenyl-
cyclohexyl)-pyrrolidine (PCP or PHP), and 1-(1-(2-thienyl-
cyclohexyl)-piperdine (TPCP or TCP).
A close relative of PCP, ketamine, is an injected anesthetic used
medically for special circumstances. Feelings of dissociation
occur within 15 seconds after injection, and the patient loses
consciousness after about 30 seconds. Unconsciousness lasts for
only 10-15 minutes, but amnesia persists for an hour or two and
patients recall nothing they experience after regaining
consciousness. Vivid and unpleasant dreams, as well as
hallucinations occur as the drug wears off. When a user consumes
less ketamine than is required for anesthesia, the effects can
resemble those of LSD or PCP. The user may lose contact with
reality and feel that he is floating in space.
PCP is well absorbed when taken orally, intranasally, or IV,
although oral ingestion is the slowest route to the CNS. PCP
is stored in fat tissue and brain tissue, so although blood
levels peak 1-4 hours after ingestion, PCP can be detected in
urine up to 1 week following high dose use. At doses from
1-5 mg, PCP often seems like very potent marijuana. Above
5 mg, the effects are much less predictable. At 20 mg and
above, hypertension, muscle rigidity, seizure, depressed
breathing, coma and death can occur. Effects of higher doses
include a withdrawn catatonic state, ataxia, dysarthria,
muscular hypertonicity, and myoclonic jerks. Rotatory nystagmus
is often present and helps in making the diagnosis. Cardio-
vascular status is usually unaffected. Prolonged psychotic
states have apparently followed use of this drug.
In treatment, diazepam (Valium) often is helpful, and is
mandatory when seizure activity is present. Some clinicians
feel that haloperidol is useful. Diazoxide may be used when
severe hypertension is present. PCP is highly lipid-soluble
and may have a long biologic persistence. The alkaline
character of the drug leads to suprisingly high secretion into
the stomach, and prolonged gastric lavage has recovered large
amounts of PCP. Lavage must be accompanied by acidification
with ammonium chloride (or other agents), because this maneuver
results in dramatic ionic trapping in the stomach and urine.
Anecdotally, street users may resort to cranberry juice to
hasten urinary excretion.
While PCP users may increase the amount of drug they take, there
is no clear evidence of tolerance to the drug. Physical
dependency has not been demonstrated, although laboratory
experiments with animals appear to indicate that such
addiction is possible. Psychological dependence is created,
and a number of users experience withdrawal symptoms such as
physical distress, lack of energy, and depression when they
abruptly discontinue PCP use.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
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Other drugs which interact with PCP are chlorpromazine or
like agents, which can cause severe hypotension.
CREATION PROCESS
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The manufacture of PCP is a two-stage reaction. First, PCC
(1-piperidinocyclohexanecarbonitrile) is created by reacting
piperidine, cyanide, and cyclohexanone. This product is then
reacted with phenylmagnesium bromide to form the final product.
The total reaction time for completion requires 16 to 18 hours.
CHEMICAL COMMERCIAL USE / HAZARDS
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bromobenzene Solvent, organic synthesis, motor
fuel.
IRRITANT / CARCINOGEN
cyanide Poison.
TOXIC / HIGH HAZARD
cyclohexanone Organic preparations, plastics, stains,
paint removers, solvent, polish,
degreaser.
IRRITANT
phenylmagnesium bromide Organic synthesis.
(Grignard) EXPLOSIVE / FLAMMABLE
piperidine Solvent, curing agent in rubber,
ingredient in oils and fuels, catalyst.
IRRITANT