Mephedrone

Products

Mephedrone has long been legally available in many countries and sold, for example, over the Internet as a plant and cactus fertilizer because it is a nitrogen compound (“The Best for Your Succulents”). E-commerce has played a major role in its distribution. It was also available in clubs and hemp stores. As of December 1, 2010, mephedrone has been banned in many countries. It was added to the narcotics list (Schedule d, banned substances) and can no longer be legally trafficked.

Structure and properties

Mephedrone (C11H15NO, Mr = 177.2 g/mol) is sold as a white to slightly yellowish powder, in the form of crystals, as capsules or tablets. It is an amphetamine analog, a ketone, and has a similar structure to the alkaloid cathinone from cath, but is methylated on the benzene ring and amine, and is therefore also known as 4-methyl–methcathinone. Methcathinone (ephedrone) is identical to mephedrone except for the missing methyl group on the benzene ring. Similar substances are butylone and methylone. Mephedrone exists as a racemate, a mixture of – and -mephedrone. The -enantiomer is more active.

Effects

Mephedrone is psychotropic, stimulant, euphoriant, empathogenic (promotes a sense of community), aphrodisiac, vasoconstrictor, and, in higher doses, hallucinogenic. The effects are probably due to stimulation of the release of monoamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) in the brain.

Indications

Mephedrone is not approved as a drug in many countries and is not used medicinally.

Abuse

Mephedrone is abused as a party drug and stimulant, often in combination with other intoxicants.

Dosage

The usual single nasal dose is 25-75 mg. Oral doses are higher at 150-250 mg. Mephedrone is usually snorted or ingested and rarely injected or administered rectally. When snorted, nosebleeds and severe local irritation are common. The mucous membrane is also irritated when the powder is swallowed, so it is also wrapped in cigarette paper or taken in capsule form. When administered nasally, the effects occur rapidly, within a few minutes, and soon subside. When administered orally, the effects are delayed, occurring within about 45 minutes to 2 hours, but last somewhat longer.

Contraindications

In any case, its use is strongly discouraged. In particular, use is not indicated in cases of hypersensitivity, mental illness, urinary retention, cardiovascular diseases such as cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, arterial occlusive disease, epilepsy, other acute or chronic diseases, during pregnancy and lactation, in children and the elderly, and if other intoxicants or medications (e.g., sympathomimetics, antidepressants, SSRIs, MAO inhibitors, migraine medications, cardiac medications) are taken at the same time. Those who take mephedrone anyway, despite all warnings, should follow a number of precautions:

  • Do not take it regularly
  • Do not consume alone without supervision by friends
  • Consume sufficient non-alcoholic liquid
  • Do not combine with other intoxicants, medications or alcohol
  • Do not inject, it is best to take rolled up
  • Observe maximum dose, contraindications and possible interactions with other medications.
  • Start with low dose
  • Make sure the intoxicant is of good quality, have it analyzed

Other precautions can be found, for example, at http://www.crew2000.org.uk, see also under the literature references.

Interactions

Concurrent administration of other psychoactive substances can be expected to increase adverse effects. Adverse interactions, some of them severe, are also possible with numerous drugs (see above).

Adverse effects

Known possible adverse effects include: Loss of appetite, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, tremor, stiff jaw, spasm of masseter muscles, muscle tension, headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, convulsions, nystagmus, pupil dilation, visual disturbances, flushing of emotions, anxiety, agitation, confusion, mood changes, dependence, irritability, aggression, depression, loss of motivation, hallucinations, paranoia, psychoses, mania, sleep disorders, nightmares, memory disorders, lack of concentration, fatigue, rapid pulse, high blood pressure, respiratory disorders, peripheral vasoconstriction, cold hands, urinary retention, hot flashes, sweating, flushing, nosebleeds, mucosal ulcers. Particularly dangerous from our point of view appear the psychological disorders, cardiovascular disorders (with vasoconstriction) and the negative effects on the mucous membranes. Finally, the quality of the substance is not guaranteed. Some deaths related to mephedrone have been described.