by Denise Purdie Andrews | Aug 25, 2026 | Drug Classes
By Stuart Kurtz, D-ABFT-FT We have written previously about the nitazene class of synthetic opioids here. Nitazenes were first synthesized in the 1950s and investigated for use in pain management as alternatives to morphine-based opioids. They were never approved for...
by Denise Purdie Andrews | Jul 16, 2026 | Drug Classes
By Kevin G. Shanks, D-ABFT-FT We’ve covered many stimulants on this blog in the past. Most recently, we discussed newer substituted cathinones, MDPHP and Alpha-PHP/PiHP. As a brief summary, substituted cathinones are a class of compounds that are related to...
by Denise Purdie Andrews | Jun 30, 2026 | Announcements
In forensic toxicology, confidence in a result is built long before a report is issued. It is built through validated methods, documented processes, trained people, careful review, quality systems, and a shared commitment to doing the work the right way. Axis Forensic...
by Denise Purdie Andrews | Jun 22, 2026 | Announcements
In April, forensic toxicologists from Axis Forensic Toxicology presented at the Kentucky Coroner’s Association Annual Meeting in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where coroners and death investigators from across the state gathered for continuing education and professional...
by Denise Purdie Andrews | Jun 12, 2026 | Announcements, Drug Classes
In March, Stuart Kurtz presented at the 2026 annual meeting of the Midwest Association of Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (MATT) on kratom products and how they’ve changed over the years. Previous blog posts have discussed mitragynine, kratom case reports,...
by Denise Purdie Andrews | Jun 9, 2026 | Announcements
In 2026, Axis Forensic Toxicology marks ten years as Axis. To recognize that milestone, we have chosen a simple anniversary theme: A Decade of Clarity. That phrase is not meant to be a slogan layered on top of the work. It is meant to name something true about the...
by Denise Purdie Andrews | Jun 2, 2026 | Announcements, Drug Classes
Axis toxicologists Laureen Marinetti, PhD, F-ABFT, and Stuart Kurtz, M.S, D-ABFT-FT, presented at the Midwest Association of Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (MATT) Annual Meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 18-20, 2026. A recap and update of Dr....
by Denise Purdie Andrews | May 6, 2026 | Announcements
In 2026, Axis Forensic Toxicology marks ten years as Axis. To recognize that milestone, we are proud to introduce our anniversary theme: A Decade of Clarity. This theme reflects more than time passed. It reflects ten years of building, evolving, and investing in the...
by Denise Purdie Andrews | Apr 21, 2026 | Drug Classes
By Kevin G. Shanks, D-ABFT-FT The term designer opioid generally refers to the class of synthetically derived opioid analogs that are intentionally modified by clandestine chemists to circumvent existing drug laws while maintaining opioid receptor activity. This...
