Extraction-Resistant Composition Containing Activated Charcoal for Deterring Opioid Drugs Abuse.

Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida, USA

Objective: Examine the resistance efficiency of activated charcoal against opioid drugs extraction in different aqueous solutions. Background: Activated charcoal is a porous material with large surface area and high capacity for adsorbing different molecules. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of charcoal in adsorbing dextromethorphan HBr (DEX) in different aqueous solutions, minimizing the amount of the drug that could be extracted for abuse by injection. Methods: In 1:8 weight ratio, DEX and charcoal were mixed in 10 mL aqueous extracting solvents, most commonly used by abusers. The samples were centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 5 min. The supernatant was separated from the sediment and analyzed by UV-Vis spectroscopy (276 nm) to determine the % of the drug extracted by the different solvents. The sediment was analyzed by DSC (heating from 25 to 350 °C @ 10 °C/min.) to confirm the drug adsorption on the charcoal. Results: Drug extraction varied across the different solvents. Minimal drug extraction (< 20%) was achieved in water, 0.1% sodium bicarbonate, and saline solutions. Modest extraction (~ 25%) was achieved in 0.83 M acetic acid, and the highest drug extraction (~ 60%) was achieved in 40% ethanol. The DSC thermograms confirmed the adsorption of the drug on the charcoal particles. Conclusion: Activated charcoal-based compositions could effectively reduce opioid drugs extraction in most of the extracting solvents. Further work is required to improve the deterrence efficiency of such compositions in the hydroalcoholic solutions. Grants: NSU Grant 335081.