Prakitpao drug was pseudo-ephedrine: expert
Laboratory tests have revealed that Dr Prakitpao Thomthitchong, the founder of a chain of physics schools committed recently to a mental hospital, had only elevated levels of pseudo-ephedrine - not the more dangerous ephedrine.
Pseudo-ephedrine is a common ingredient in cold remedies and rarely produces adverse psychological affects. Experts said its prolonged use could cause insomnia and stress but not neurological damage. "Pseudo-ephedrine can't be the cause of his illness," Ramathibodi Poisons Centre director Professor Saming Kaocharoen told a news conference yesterday. Prakitpao, 37, has been at the centre of a public drama since his family said he began acting strangely and avoiding them after meditation sessions with a group that includes a young woman described as "a close female friend". His family admitted Prakitpao, who runs a lucrative chain of tutorial or "cram" schools, to a mental institution. "Ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine are very similar in structure," Saming explained. Ephedrine has been a hot topic since tests on Prakitpao after his admission to Srithanya Hospital on February 19 showed excessive levels of the substance. The stimulant can produce serious mental disorders and the presence of massive amounts in Prakitpao raised eyebrows. The friend Pemmika Veerachatraksit complained to police of alleged "murky" circumstances surrounding his hospitalisation. The Criminal Court has ruled Prakitpao's committal was not unlawful because he was ill and required treatment. During the court challenge Prakitpao was moved from Srithanya to the Galaya Rajana-garindra Institute, where he remains. Saming, an expert on toxic substances, said yesterday he had "suspicions" about the earlier test results and raised these with the institute. The latest tests employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The two techniques are combined to form a single method of analysing mixtures of chemicals. The technique is used in the Olympic Games and other events to detect drug cheats from those who simply ingest legal medicines. Saming explained the new tests used the same urine samples submitted for the first analysis, which had employed high-pressure liquid chromatography. He commended Srithanya Hospital for checking patients for substances that could cause mental disorders. Saming informed the Crime Suppression Division about the new findings.
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