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TECHNICAL PROFILE OF BROMO-DRAGONFLY
SUMMARY
Bromo-DragonFLY is potent synthetic psychedelic substance belonging to the
benzodifuran class of substances. A number of in vitro and in vivo animal studies
have shown that Bromo-DragonFLY is a potent 5-HT2A receptor agonist. There is
evidence from seizure data, of its availability in Europe since 2006. However, there
are user reports to suggest its use prior to this. Most of the Bromo-DragonFLY
seizures have been reported from the Scandinavian region (Sweden, Norway,
Denmark and Finland) with smaller seizures from Poland and the UK.
It is available in the form of blotters / impregnated paper, similar to that seen with
lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and also as powder and liquid. The predominant
route of use is oral ingestion of blotters / paper and/or liquid (this appears usually to
be dropped onto sugar lumps prior to consumption). There are some reports of nasal
insufflation of powder. Current reported doses are 800-2000 micrograms, although
there have been reports of ‘stronger potency’ preparations available prior to 2006.
There is no evidence to suggest that Bromo-DragonFLY is easily available to users
through Internet “legal high” suppliers or established street level drug dealers. It
appears that the only source of Bromo-DragonFLY is from chemical suppliers based
particularly in China; although it does not appear to be easy to obtain. There is no
information on the purity of Bromo-DragonFLY although analysis of some seizures
has shown that other recreational drugs were detected together with the BromoDragonFLY.
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User reports suggest that Bromo-DragonFLY has hallucinogenic properties and that
these are the effects desired by users. In addition users report stimulant effects
similar to amphetamines. The information on the acute health effects of BromoDragonFLY is limited to user reports and three published case reports of individuals
presenting to healthcare services with acute Bromo-DragonFLY toxicity. Commonly
reported unwanted effects include headache, sweating, prolonged insomnia,
confusion, agitation / psychosis, nausea, diarrhoea, seizures, tachycardia, and
hypertension. There have been two reports of peripheral limb ischaemia potentially
related to Bromo-DragonFLY, one of these led to the individual requiring amputation
of the fingers of one hand.
There have been four deaths reported to the EMCDDA where Bromo-DragonFLY
was detected at post-mortem (two in Denmark and two in Sweden). In addition there
is an unconfirmed report of a potential Bromo-DragonFLY related death in Norway.
In conclusion, Bromo-DragonFLY is a potent 5-HT2A agonist, with potent psychedelic
effects, and there are a three published reports of acute health effects and four
confirmed fatalities related to its use. However, currently, there is no evidence of
widespread use of Bromo-DragonFLY in Europe. It is likely that this low rate of use
explain the relatively limited number of reports of significant acute health effects and
death related to Bromo-DragonFLY. Should the supply of Bromo-DragonFLY and/or
the prevalence of its use increase, in view of its pharmacological effects and
toxicological profile, there is the potential for significant morbidity with associated
healthcare utilisation and increased numbers of Bromo-DragonFLY related fatalities.
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SECTION
A.
PHYSICAL,
CHEMICAL,
PHARMACEUTICAL
AND
PHARMACOLOGICAL INFORMATION
A1. Physical and Pharmaceutical Information
A1.1. Physical and Chemical Description
The systematic (IUPAC) name for Bromo-DragonFLY is (1-(8-bromobenzo[1,2-b;4,5b']difuran-4-yl)-2-aminopropane).
It
is
also
known
as
bromo-benzodifuranul-
isopropylamine and by users as “ABDF”, “DOBFLY”, “spamfly”, “placid”, “3C-BromoDragonfly” and “DOB-Dragonfly”. There are no official synonyms, non-proprietary
names or trademark names for Bromo-DragonFLY.
Bromo-DragonFLY is a synthetic psychedelic substance related to the phenethylamine
family, although it has a distinct structure and belongs to the benzodifuran class of
substances. The molecular formula for Bromo-DragonFLY is C13H12BrNO2, equating
to a molecular weight of 294.15 g/mol. The hydrochloride salt decomposes at 240°C.
The chemical structure of Bromo-DragonFLY is shown below:
Bromo-DragonFLY was first synthesized at Purdue University, Indiana, USA in the
1990s as a research probe to investigate brain serotonin receptor structure and
activity [Monte AP 1996]. The key precursor in the synthesis of Bromo-DragonFLY is
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tetrahydrobenzodifuran, and the methods of synthesis have been described
previously in detail [Monte AP 1996, Chambers JJ 2001].
A1.2. Physical/pharmaceutical form
Bromo-DragonFLY is available to users in the form of blotters / impregnated paper
similar to that seen with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and there has been some
confusion amongst users in this regard. It has also been reported to be available in
powder form (often pink or white) and as a liquid (users often drop liquid onto sugar
lumps prior to consumption).
A1.3. Route of administration and dosage
There are limited user reports relating to the use of Bromo-DragonFLY; Erowid
states that by January 2009 they had only received approximately 50 first hand
reports of Bromo-DragonFLY [Erowid 1]. From these reports it appears that it is
predominantly used by the oral route, but there are user reports of use of powder
Bromo-DragonFLY by nasal insufflation and of users dropping liquid BromoDragonFLY onto sugar cubes [Erowid 2]. Although there is reference on Erowid to
the potential use of Bromo-DragonFLY by injection [Erowid 1], we have been unable
to find first hand user reports to confirm this.
Information available from Erowid user reports appears to suggest that the ‘potency’
of Bromo-DragonFLY in 2005 was stronger and typical doses used were 200-400
micrograms [Erowid 1]. This was commonly known as the ‘European batch’ of
Bromo-DragonFLY. Since 2006, only a less potent batch known as the ‘American
batch’ has been reported to be available with typical doses of 800-2000 micrograms.
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As mentioned below, in Section D, the dose used in the single published case report
of Bromo-DragonFLY toxicity presenting to healthcare services was not known. In a
reported fatality from Denmark the user was reported to have ingested around 1 mL
of Bromo-DragonFLY liquid (concentration 0.69mg/mL) [Andreasen MF 2009].
A2. Pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
There are no formal pharmacokinetic studies looking specifically at BromoDragonFLY. User reports appear to suggest onset of desired effects within 20-90
minutes of oral ingestion, although there are some reports of slower onset of action
when it is taken on a full stomach. User reports suggest onset of desired effects
within 30-60 minutes of nasal insufflation. Desired effects are reported by users to
last 6-12 hours, followed by a come down phase of 4-12 hours. Reports by users
suggest a prolonged ‘after effect’ phase of up to 36 hours following use [Erowid 3].
There have been a number of published studies looking at the pharmacodynamics of
Bromo-DragonFLY and related dihydrobenzofuran analogues in a number of in vitro
and in vivo animal models [Monte AP 1996, Parker MA 1998, Chambers JJ 2001,
May JA 2003]. These studies suggest that Bromo-DragonFLY is the most potent of
the dihydrobenzofuran analogues with high affinity binding to the 5HT2A receptor
[Monte AP 1996, Chambers JJ 2001]. Furthermore, the R-isomer of BromoDragonFLY is more potent with a higher 5-HT2A binding affinity than the S-isomer
[Chambers JJ 2001]. Drug discriminating studies using LSD-trained rats have shown
that Bromo-DragonFLY substitutes for LSD greater than other structurally similar
compounds [Monte AP 1996].
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A3. Psychological and behavioural effects
There are no published formal studies assessing the psychological and/or
behavioural effects of Bromo-DragonFLY in humans. Therefore, the psychological
and behavioural effects related to Bromo-Dragon-FLY use in humans are based on
users’ reports [Erowid 2], and the published case reports of acute Bromo-DragonFLY
toxicity (these are summarised in Section D1.2.3.).
The desired psychological and behavioural effects reported by users appear to be
typical of an hallucinogenic substance. The reported hallucinogenic effects include:
visual changes, ‘shimmering lights’, ‘visual morphing with rainbow trails’, ‘high
resolution colourful visuals’, increased energy; increased associative thinking; an
altered perception of time and space; and ego softening. In addition to these
hallucinogenic effects, there appears to be widespread reports from users of
stimulant effects similar to amphetamines [Erowid 2, Erowid 3].
Users widely report a prolonged duration of come down / after effects following use
of Bromo-DragonFLY. This, and other unwanted effects, will be discussed in Section
D1.2. below.
A4. Legitimate uses of the product
There are no known uses of Bromo-DragonFLY as a research, industrial or cosmetic
compound. It is not a recognised medicinal product in its own right and is not used
for the synthesis of any other medicinal products or active pharmaceutical
ingredients (API) and is not recognised as a metabolite of any of these.
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There are some reports of other 5-HT2A agonists decreasing ocular pressure in
animal models [May JA 2003], which could potentially be beneficial in treatment of
ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma in humans. However, it is not clear whether
Bromo-DragonFLY has these effects; in addition it has psychotropic effects which
would limit its clinical application in this area.
SECTION B. DEPENDENCE AND ABUSE POTENTIAL
B1. Animal in vivo and in vitro data
There are no published animal or in vitro studies investigating the dependence /
abuse potential of Bromo-DragonFLY.
B2. Human data
There are no published reports of dependence to Bromo-DragonFLY. User reports
appear to suggest single rather than recurrent use of Bromo-DragonFLY possibly
due to the prolonged come down / after effects experienced by users.
SECTION C. PREVALENCE OF USE
There are reports to the EMCDDA European Information System and Database on
New Drugs, of seizures of Bromo-DragonFLY from 6 European and neighbouring
countries; these reports date from November 2006.
In addition, there was one
seizure of 3mL of liquid found to contain Bromo-DragonFLY in the USA in 2007 [DEA
Microgram Bulletin].
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Country
Amount and Details of the Seizure
Denmark
2007: one seizure
2009: one seizure.
Finland
2007: 19 seizures of 218 blotters and one seizure of 13mL of liquid.
2008: 26 seizures of 1308 blotters and one seizure of 4mL of liquid.
2009: one seizure of 54 slips and 5 seizures of 86 blotting papers.
Norway
2007: 2 seizures of 7 units of paper.
2008: one seizure of “one dose”.
2009: 4 seizures of “64 doses”.
Poland
2009: one seizure of 35 tablets.
Sweden
2006: one seizure of blotters containing Bromo-DragonFLY and 4iodo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (DOI).
2007: 3 seizures totalling 559g of powder, 8 seizures totalling 875
“units of paper”, 7 seizures of 28 “units of lump sugar” and 1
seizure of 0.5mL of liquid.
2008: 2 seizures totalling 4.12g of powder, 10 seizures totalling
128 “units of paper”, 18 seizures of 65 “units of lump sugar” and 2
seizures of 6.8mL of liquid.
2009: 2 seizures totalling 1.5 “units of paper” and 1 seizure of 3
“units of lump sugar”.
UK
2008: 1 seizure of liquid absorbed onto a brown sugar lump also
found to contain methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) and
one seizure of powder.
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There are currently no co-ordinated national or European population surveys on
Bromo-DragonFLY use. In addition, the recent MixMag survey did not report on
either life-time use or recent use within the last month of Bromo-DragonFLY [Dick
2010].
SECTION D. HEALTH RISKS
D1. Acute health effects
D1.1. Animal Data
There is no published animal data on the acute health effects of Bromo-DragonFLY.
D1.2. Human Data
D1.2.1 User Reports
There have been no large scale published user surveys on the acute health effects
experienced by Bromo-DragonFLY users.
There are numerous user reports on Erowid of acute health effects following BromoDragon FLY use [Erowid 2, Erowid 3]. Commonly the unwanted effects include
excessive hallucinogenic effects and/or stimulatory effects with prolonged come
down / after effects. Other reports acute health effects include:
- Headache
- Sweating
- Prolonged insomnia
- Confusion
- Symptoms similar to psychosis
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- “Twitches” in the legs
- Generalised feeling of cold and/or of hot
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Tightness in the jaw
It is not possible to determine the incidence of these symptoms based on the user
reports available and it is important to note that these are unconfirmed anecdotal
reports from users. It is interesting to note that user reports do not mention
peripheral cyanosis / skin discoloration / blue extremities suggestive of ischaemia
that have been reported in clinical cases (see Section D1.2.3.).
D1.2.2. Poisons Information Service Data
The UK National Poisons Information Service have received two enquires
concerning self-reported Bromo-DragonFLY toxicity. There was no clinical detail
available concerning the first case (August 2008). The second case, in August 2009,
was a 19 year old male who ingested an unknown amount of Bromo-dragonFLY and
presented to the Emergency Department 4 hours after ingestion with tachycardia
and agitation [Personal Communication Prof Simon Thomas].
The Swedish Poisons Centre received 22 enquiries regarding Bromo-DragonFLY
toxicity from 2006 to October 2007. The most common clinical problems reported in
these patients were anxiety, agitation, visual hallucinations, tachycardia and
mydriasis [Personne M 2008]. By March 2008, the number of enquiries to the
Swedish Poisons Centre had risen to a total of 32 [Thorlacius K 2008].
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D1.2.3. Published case reports of acute Bromo-DragonFLY toxicity
UK Case Report:
There has been one report of acute Bromo-DragonFLY toxicity from the UK [Wood
DM 2009].
An 18 year old male presented after oral ingestion of an unknown amount of BromoDragonFLY and nasal insufflation of a ‘white powder’. He initially developed
hallucinations and approximately 8 hours following this developed increasing
agitation and had two witnessed self-terminating generalised seizures. On arrival in
the Emergency Department he was drowsy with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of
3/15, heart rate 124/minute and blood pressure 182/94 mmHg. He had two further
generalised seizures in the Emergency Department. He was sedated, intubated and
ventilated and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. He was extubated within 24 hours
of admission. His hospital stay was complicated by an aspiration pneumonia that
was treated successfully with intravenous antibiotics. He was discharged home with
no long-term sequelae.
Routine toxicological analysis of the serum and urine specimens using GC/MS and
liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) identified the
presence of Bromo-dragonFLY (serum concentration 0.95ng/mL by LC/MS/MS) and
ketamine and metabolites (20ng/mL). Cannabinoids were detected in both serum
and urine. It was felt by the authors that the ketamine and cannabanoids detected
were not of clinical significance. Lidocaine, lorazepam, midazolam and thiopentone
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were detected as a result of treatment given in the ED. No other drugs or alcohol
were detected using a broad toxicology screen of both the serum and urine samples.
Swedish Case Reports:
There are two clinical reports of acute Bromo-DragonFLY toxicity from Sweden
[Personne M 2008, Thorlacius K 2008].
The first case was only reported in abstract form. This was a 20 year old male who
ingested 5 or 6 blotters each soaked with 0.5mg of Bromo-DragonFLY. He initially
developed hallucinogenic effects, but two days later developed cyanosis of
‘peripheral parts of the limbs’. Four days later he sought medical attention and he
was noted to have rhabdomyolysis at that time. He was treated with vasodilators for
a period of four days and he was discharged following this with no long-term
sequelae. No toxicological analysis was reported in this case [Personne M 2008].
The second case has been reported in both abstract form (in English) and as a peerreviewed paper (in Swedish) [Personne M 2008, Thorlacius K 2008]. This was a
34/35 year old male who ingested an unknown amount of Bromo-DragonFLY
together with a friend. Both collapsed following use and his friend was subsequently
found dead (see section D1.2.4.). The survivor was found by his brother 17 hours
later and was confused and disorientated. On arrival in the hospital he had a
generalised seizure and was noted to have peripheral vasoconstriction, with
worsening ischaemia of his extremeties over subsequent days. He was treated with
a variety of vaso-dilating agents (glyceryl tri-nitrate, calcium channel blockers, ACE
inhibitors prostacyclin analogues and nitroprusside) and sympathetic nerve block;
12
none of which were reported to be effective. He had evidence of rhabdomyolysis and
associated renal failure; this was managed with standard treatment including
continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration. Due to the persistent ischaemia of his
limbs he required amputation of all of the distal phalanges of the left hand. BromoDragonFLY was detected in the urine at the time of presentation, although no further
toxicological screening information was reported in this case to determine whether
other compounds may have been responsible for the clinical picture.
D1.2.4. Bromo-DragonFLY related deaths
The EMCDDA European Information System and Database on New Drugs reports
that there have been 4 deaths related to Bromo-DragonFLY (two in Denmark and
two in Sweden). There is no detailed published information on two of these (one
Danish and one Swedish death).
Limited information is available on the other Swedish death: this was a male found
dead at home after use of Bromo-DragonFLY together with a friend (clinical
information relating to the friend is described in Section D1.2.3.) [Personne M 2008,
Thorlacius K 2008].
No information was published on the post-mortem or
toxicological findings in this case.
More detailed information has been published on one of the Danish BromoDragonFLY fatalities. This was an 18 year old female who along with her boyfriend
each ingested 1mL of Bromo-DragonFLY liquid (concentration 0.69mg/mL).
Approximately 1-2 hours following ingestion they developed an “LSD trip” feeling,
after which they both fell asleep. Approximately 6-7 hours post-ingestion the
13
boyfriend woke to find his girlfriend dead. Post-mortem toxicological analysis
detected Bromo-DragonFLY in femoral blood at a concentration of 4.7microgram/kg;
no other drugs or ethanol were detected.
There is also an unconfirmed report of the death of an 18 year old male in Norway
following use of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and Bromo-DragonFLY [Erowid 4].
D2. Chronic Health Effects
D2.1. Animal Data
There is no animal data on the chronic health effects of Bromo-DragonFLY.
D2.2. Human Data
As noted in Section D1.2.3. there is one individual who required amputation of the
digits of one hand for ‘acute limb ischaemia’ following Bromo-DragonFLY use.
There are no other reported studies suggesting chronic long-term physical health
effects relating to Bromo-DragonFLY use. In addition there are no reports of
individuals developing chronic health problems that do not relate to acute
complications following Bromo-DragonFLY use.
D3. Factors Affecting Public Health Risks
D3.1. Availability and Quality of the New Psychoactive Substance on the
Market (Purity, Adulterants etc)
It does not appear that Bromo-DragonFLY is readily available to users either from
on-line Internet suppliers of “legal highs” or established street level drug dealers. It is
14
possible, although not easy, to order it directly from chemical companies
synthesizing “research chemicals”, predominately located in China, for dispatch to
addresses in Europe.
There is no available information on the purity of Bromo-DragonFLY in seizures to
date, and there is also no information as to presence and/or frequency of
pharmaceutical adulterants in Bromo-DragonFLY. As noted in Section C. analysis of
some seizure samples has also detected other recreational drugs.
D3.2. Availability of the Information, Degree of Knowledge and Perceptions
Amongst Users Concerning the Psychoactive Substance and its Effects
Reports on user websites suggest that users are aware that it is effective in
producing the desired hallucinogenic and stimulant effects, but that it is associated
with a prolonged come down / after effect.
D3.3. Characteristics and Behaviour of Users
There is no available user data to be able to determine the characteristics of those
using Bromo-DragonFLY. It is likely that those using Bromo-DragonFLY are a “niche”
group of recreational drug users given the relatively sparse number of user reports,
the difficulty in obtaining this agent and the “research chemical” nature of it.
D3.4. Nature and Extent of Health Consequences
The acute health effects of Bromo-DragonFLY have been discussed in Section D1.2.
There is no data available from law enforcement agencies to suggest that BromoDragonFLY use has been implicated in road traffic accidents or other trauma. This
15
may be due to the fact that Bromo-DragonFLY is not routinely tested for by forensic
laboratories at this time.
D3.5. Long-term Consequences of Use
There have been no long-term follow up studies to determine if Bromo-DragonFLY
users are at greater risk of health deterioration later in life, or of developing chronic
or life-threatening medical conditions.
D3.6. Conditions Under Which the New Psychoactive Substance is Obtained
and Used, Including Context-Related Effects and Risks
As noted in Section D3.1. Bromo-DragonFLY is not readily available either from online Internet suppliers of “legal highs” or established street level drug dealers. It
appears that the only source of Bromo-DragonFLY is through direct supply from
chemical companies. User reports suggest that Bromo-DragonFLY is mostly used
within the home environment, although there have been some reports of use within
discotheques/nightclubs and outdoor music festivals [Erowid 2].
SECTION E. SOCIAL RISKS
E1. Individual Social Risks
There is currently no information available to comment on this.
E2. Possible Effects on Social Environment
There is currently no information available to comment on this.
16
E3. Possible Effects on Society as a Whole
There is currently no information available to comment on this.
E4. Economic Costs
As noted in Section D1.2. there are very few reports of individuals presenting to
healthcare services with acute health effects, therefore it is not possible to be certain
of the overall costs associated with Bromo-DragonFLY toxicity at this time.
E5. Possible Effects Related to the Cultural Context
There is no data available to suggest that Bromo-DragonFLY use is associated with
particular demographic / socio-economic groups in society.
E6. Possible Appeal of the new Psychoactive Substance to Specific Population
Groups within the General Population
There is no data available to suggest that Bromo-DragonFLY use is associated with
specific sub-population groups.
Dr Paul Dargan and Dr David Wood
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
King’s Health Partners
London, UK
March 2010
17
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