W-18 (drug) explained

W-18 is a compound in a series of 32 substances (named W-1 to W-32) that were first synthesized in academic research on analgesic drug discovery in the 1980s and appeared as a designer drug in the 2010s.

W-18 was invented at the University of Alberta by a lab working on analgesic drug discovery in the 1980s, and preliminary studies in animals showed it had pain-killing activity in mice.^{[1] [2]}

The chemical was detected in connection with recreational drug use as substitute for other controlled substances in Europe in 2013,^[3] and in the United States. In Canada, Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) seized four kilograms of W-18 in a drug bust in Edmonton in December 2015^[4] and W-18 was also detected by Health Canada in at least three of 110 fentanyl tablets seized from a Calgary home in August 2015.^{[5] [6]}

W-18 was commonly reported to be an opioid in the popular press in the 2010s, which was later revealed not to be correct.^{[7] [8] [9]} W-18 was found to obtain weak activity at both sigma receptors and the translocator protein (peripheral benzodiazepine receptor).^[9] It also inhibits the hERG potassium channel with micromolar affinity, which could potentially cause cardiac arrhythmia at high doses.^[10]

• In Sweden, W-18 was made illegal in January 2016.^[11]
• In Canada, W-18 and its analogues were made Schedule I controlled substances.^[12] Possession without legal authority can result in maximum 7 years imprisonment. Further, Health Canada amended the Food and Drug Regulations in May, 2016 to classify W-18 as a restricted drug. Only those with a law enforcement agency, person with an exemption permit or institutions with Minister's authorization may possess the drug.

See also

• Ro5-4864

Notes and References

1. Web site: W-18, The High-Potency Research Chemical Making News: What It Is And What It Isn't. 30 April 2016. Kroll D . Forbes.
2. Web site: Street drug W-18 is highly lethal, and still legal. CBC News. 21 April 2016. 20 April 2016. Warnica M .
3. Gonçalves J . Notice to interested parties — Proposal regarding the scheduling of W-18 under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and its regulations. Canada Gazette. 13 February 2016. 150. 7. 19 February 2016. Government of Canada.
4. News: Illicit drug W-18 is 100 times stronger than fentanyl, police warn. CBC News. 20 April 2016. 20 April 2016.
5. Web site: Everything We Know So Far About W-18, the Drug That's 100 Times More Powerful Than Fentanyl. Vice Media. Vice.com. 1 February 2016. 20 April 2016. Elkin A .
6. Web site: Markusoff J . A toxic drug, more powerful than fentanyl, hits the streets in Alberta. macleans.ca. Maclean's. 19 February 2016.
7. Web site: Health Canada statements on W-18 misleading, potentially wrong, experts warn . Postmedia Network Inc. . Calgary Herald . 1 June 2016 . 22 June 2016 . Southwick R .
8. Web site: Canada's Ban on Ultra-Potent Drug W-18 Could Make Things Worse . Vice . 2 June 2016 . Browne R .
9. Huang XP, Che T, Mangano TJ, Le Rouzic V, Pan YX, Majumdar S, Cameron MD, Baumann MH, Pasternak GW, Roth BL . 6 . Fentanyl-related designer drugs W-18 and W-15 lack appreciable opioid activity in vitro and in vivo . JCI Insight . 2 . 22 . November 2017 . 29202454 . 5752382 . 10.1172/jci.insight.97222 . Bryan Roth .
10. Huang XP, Che T, Mangano TJ, Le Rouzic V, Pan YX, Majumdar S, Cameron M, Bauman M, Pasternak GW, Roth BL . 6 . 2016-07-24. Pharmacology of W-18 and W-15 . bioRxiv . en. 065623. 10.1101/065623. free.
11. Web site: 31 nya ämnen kan klassas som narkotika eller hälsofarlig vara . Folkhälsomyndigheten . Swedish . November 2015.
12. Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations (Parts G and J — Lefetamine, AH-7921, MT-45 and W-18) . Denis . Arsenault . vanc . Canada Gazette . 1 June 2016 . 150 . 11 . Government of Canada.