New synthetic cannabinoid ADB-BUTINACA emerged in UK emergency departments with concerning features
ADB-BUTINACA was detected in 10 patients presenting to UK emergency departments since February 2021, with reduced consciousness in all cases, including two who unknowingly consumed it in edible "cannabis" gummies.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
ADB-BUTINACA was found in 10 of 1,279 patients in the IONA study, all since February 2021, suggesting recent emergence. Reduced consciousness occurred in all 10 patients. Two had ingested edible "cannabis" gummies unknowingly contaminated with the synthetic cannabinoid. In 7 cases, other drugs were co-detected. All patients recovered with supportive care.
Key Numbers
10 patients from 1,279 total IONA participants. All 10 since February 2021. 9 male, median age 45. All 10 had reduced consciousness. 2 consumed edible "cannabis" gummies. 3 had ADB-BUTINACA only; 7 had co-detected substances. Median hospital stay: 19 hours.
How They Did This
Prospective surveillance from the IONA study enrolling adults presenting to UK emergency departments with toxicity after suspected drug misuse since March 2015. Blood and/or urine analyzed by LC-MS.
Why This Research Matters
ADB-BUTINACA is entering the drug supply disguised as natural cannabis, including in edible products. Users who think they are consuming cannabis may unknowingly be exposed to a far more potent and dangerous synthetic cannabinoid.
The Bigger Picture
The contamination of edible cannabis products with synthetic cannabinoids represents an escalating harm reduction concern, especially as more consumers shift toward edibles.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small case series (10 patients). Single country surveillance. Co-detection of other substances in 7 cases complicates attribution. Cannot determine population-level prevalence.
Questions This Raises
- ?How widespread is synthetic cannabinoid contamination of edible cannabis products?
- ?Would legal cannabis markets eliminate this risk?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- All 10 patients had reduced consciousness; 2 consumed contaminated edibles
- Evidence Grade:
- Case series from a large prospective surveillance study, but only 10 patients identified.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Clinical features associated with ADB-BUTINACA exposure in patients attending emergency departments in England.
- Published In:
- Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 60(10), 1094-1098 (2022)
- Authors:
- King, A, Hill, S L, Pucci, M, Bailey, G, Keating, L, Macfarlane, R, Cantle, F, Hudson, S, Thomas, S H L
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03964
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can edible cannabis products contain synthetic cannabinoids?
Yes. In this UK study, two patients unknowingly consumed ADB-BUTINACA after eating "cannabis" gummy edibles that were actually contaminated with the synthetic cannabinoid.
What happens when someone takes ADB-BUTINACA?
All 10 patients in this study had reduced consciousness, with some also experiencing agitation, tachycardia, seizures, and hallucinations. All recovered with supportive care.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03964APA
King, A; Hill, S L; Pucci, M; Bailey, G; Keating, L; Macfarlane, R; Cantle, F; Hudson, S; Thomas, S H L. (2022). Clinical features associated with ADB-BUTINACA exposure in patients attending emergency departments in England.. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 60(10), 1094-1098. https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2022.2101469
MLA
King, A, et al. "Clinical features associated with ADB-BUTINACA exposure in patients attending emergency departments in England.." Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2022.2101469
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Clinical features associated with ADB-BUTINACA exposure in p..." RTHC-03964. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/king-2022-clinical-features-associated-with
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.