by Dr. Andrew Holt, Pharm.D., BCMAS, Clinical Pharmacist, Aegis Sciences Corporation
Designer drugs, also known as novel (or new) psychoactive substances (NPSs) or synthetic compounds, are substances usually created to mimic the effects of traditional drugs while evading controlled substance regulations and detection via drug testing. However you refer to these compounds, the reality is that they can contribute to an individual’s risk of adverse events, including overdose. Though designer drugs have recently gained public attention, they have been in circulation for many years, with the most recognizable classes being synthetic cannabinoids, sometimes referred to as “K2” or “Spice,” and cathinones, which are also known as “bath salts.” While these specific classes remain in the illicit drug supply, in recent years new classes of drugs have emerged, presenting different risk profiles and, if left unrecognized, new dangers for the public.
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