SOFT/TIAFT 98 - Fenproporex Abuse by Truck Drivers in Brazil

SOFT - TIAFT 1998

Poster Session 3

Thursday October 8, 1998

FENPROPOREX ABUSE BY TRUCK DRIVERS IN BRAZIL

Ovandir A. Silva; Mauricio Yonamine; Carmen L. G. Antunes; Julia. M. D. Greve; Antonio F. Midio

College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of S. Paulo-Av.Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580 - 05508-900 S.Paulo, Brazil

The use of Fenproporex (N-2-cyanoethylamphetamine) by truck drivers to improve long distance driving is subject of much speculation in Brazil. The drug has been used as anorectic and about 60% of the world production are consumed in Brazil. In a preliminary study we found that amphetamines are the psychoactive drugs most used while driving, except alcohol. The aim of this study is to obtain more information about fenproporex abuse by truck drivers. A total of 3,538 urine samples were submitted to "Laboratório de Análises Toxicológicas da Universidade de S. Paulo", for analysis of fenproporex and its metabolite amphetamine. The samples were collected in two different ways: 2,810 in private transport companies with urine testing programs and 728 from truck drivers in six different roads. Sample donors of the two groups were not suspected to have been driving under the influence of drugs.

Capillary gas chromatography with NPD and gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were utilized for urine drug analysis. The obtained results were: 1.58% of all analyzed samples were found to be positive. Of all positives cases 62.5 % were for fenproporex and amphetamine and 37.5% for the presence of amphetamine. The frequency at which drugs were encountered according to the samples origin was: 4.94% of the samples collected of the truck drivers in the road were found to be positive (61% for fenproporex and amphetamine and 39% for the presence of amphetamine) and 0.71% of positive cases were in the samples collected in the companies (65% for fenproporex and amphetamine and 35% for the presence of amphetamine). The percentage of positive cases was markedly different but the frequency at which drugs were encountered was quite similar regardless of the origin.

Our results show that urine testing programs could be an important instrument to reduce the use of psychoactive substances by workers and confirm fenproporex abuse by truck drivers in Brazil.

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