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Mephedrone: Difference between revisions
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'''Mephedrone''', also known as '''4-methylmethcathinone''' ('''4-MMC''') or '''4-methylephedrone''', is a synthetic [[psychoactive class::stimulant]] drug of the [[amphetamine]] and [[ | '''Mephedrone''', also known as '''4-methylmethcathinone''' ('''4-MMC''') or '''4-methylephedrone''', is a synthetic [[psychoactive class::stimulant]] drug of the [[amphetamine]] and [[Substituted cathinone|cathinone]] classes. Slang names for the drug include '''drone''',<ref>Mephedrone: Chemistry lessons | http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/7614099/Mephedrone-Chemistry-lessons.html</ref> '''M-CAT''',<ref>Drugs crackdown hailed a success | http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8555872.stm</ref> and '''meow meow'''.<ref>Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone; ‘meow meow’): chemical, pharmacological and clinical issues | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00213-010-2070-x</ref> It is chemically similar to the [[cathinone]] compounds found in the [[khat]] plant of eastern Africa. It comes in the form of tablets or a powder, which users can swallow, snort, inject or insert rectally producing effects which are somewhat similar to that [[MDMA]], [[amphetamine]], and [[cocaine]]. | ||
Mephedrone was first synthesised in 1929, but did not become widely known until it was rediscovered in 2003. By 2007, mephedrone was reported to be available for sale on the internet, by 2008 law enforcement agencies had become aware of the compound, and by 2010 it had been reported in most of Europe, becoming particularly prevalent in the United Kingdom. | Mephedrone was first synthesised in 1929, but did not become widely known until it was rediscovered in 2003. By 2007, mephedrone was reported to be available for sale on the internet, by 2008 law enforcement agencies had become aware of the compound, and by 2010 it had been reported in most of Europe, becoming particularly prevalent in the United Kingdom. | ||
==Chemistry== | ==Chemistry== | ||
Mephedrone, or 4-methylmethcathinone, is a synthetic molecule of the [[cathinone]] family. Cathinones are structurally similar to [[amphetamines]], they contain a phenethylamine core featuring a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH2) group through an ethyl chain with an additional methyl substitution at R<sub>α</sub>. Amphetamines and cathinones are alpha-methylated phenethylamines, cathinones contain an additional carbonyl group at R<sub>1</sub>. Mephedrone contains an additional methyl substitutions at R<sub>N</sub>, similarly to [[MDMA]] and [[methamphetamine]], and R<sub>4</sub> of its phenyl ring. | Mephedrone, or 4-methylmethcathinone, is a synthetic molecule of the [[Substituted cathinone|cathinone]] family. Cathinones are structurally similar to [[amphetamines]], they contain a phenethylamine core featuring a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH2) group through an ethyl chain with an additional methyl substitution at R<sub>α</sub>. Amphetamines and cathinones are alpha-methylated phenethylamines, cathinones contain an additional carbonyl group at R<sub>1</sub>. Mephedrone contains an additional methyl substitutions at R<sub>N</sub>, similarly to [[MDMA]] and [[methamphetamine]], and R<sub>4</sub> of its phenyl ring. | ||
==Pharmacology== | ==Pharmacology== | ||
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In 2010, unconfirmed reports speculated about the role mephedrone has played in the deaths of several young people in the UK. By July 2010, mephedrone had been alleged to be involved in 52 fatalities in the UK, but detected in only 38 of these cases. Of the nine that coroners had finished investigating, two were caused directly by mephedrone.<ref> Ghodse, H.; Corkery, J.; Ahmed, K.; Naidoo, V.; Oyefeso and, A.; Schifano, F. (July 2010). "Drug-related deaths in the UK: Annual Report 2010". International Centre for Drug Policy, St George's University of London. p. 77. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-01-02. Retrieved 2010-01-02.</ref> The first death reported to be caused by mephedrone use was that of 46-year-old<ref> "Man from Hove died after injecting mephedrone", BBC News website, 27 May 2010; retrieved on 9 June 2012</ref> who had underlying health problems and repeatedly injected the drug.<ref> "Teenagers' deaths 'not caused by mephedrone'". BBC News. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-20.</ref> A report in Forensic Science International in stated mephedrone intoxication has been recorded as the cause of death in two cases in Scotland.<ref> Torrance, H.; Cooper, G. (2010). "The detection of mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) in 4 fatalities in Scotland". Forensic Science International 202 (1): e62–e63. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.07.014. PMID 20685050.</ref> | In 2010, unconfirmed reports speculated about the role mephedrone has played in the deaths of several young people in the UK. By July 2010, mephedrone had been alleged to be involved in 52 fatalities in the UK, but detected in only 38 of these cases. Of the nine that coroners had finished investigating, two were caused directly by mephedrone.<ref> Ghodse, H.; Corkery, J.; Ahmed, K.; Naidoo, V.; Oyefeso and, A.; Schifano, F. (July 2010). "Drug-related deaths in the UK: Annual Report 2010". International Centre for Drug Policy, St George's University of London. p. 77. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-01-02. Retrieved 2010-01-02.</ref> The first death reported to be caused by mephedrone use was that of 46-year-old<ref> "Man from Hove died after injecting mephedrone", BBC News website, 27 May 2010; retrieved on 9 June 2012</ref> who had underlying health problems and repeatedly injected the drug.<ref> "Teenagers' deaths 'not caused by mephedrone'". BBC News. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-20.</ref> A report in Forensic Science International in stated mephedrone intoxication has been recorded as the cause of death in two cases in Scotland.<ref> Torrance, H.; Cooper, G. (2010). "The detection of mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) in 4 fatalities in Scotland". Forensic Science International 202 (1): e62–e63. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.07.014. PMID 20685050.</ref> | ||
Despite similarities to known neurotoxins such as [[methamphetamine]] and other [[cathinone]] derivatives, mephedrone does not appear to produce neurotoxic effects in the dopamine system of mice.<ref>Mephedrone, an abused psychoactive component of 'bath salts' and methamphetamine congener, does not cause neurotoxicity to dopamine nerve endings of the striatum (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22191803</ref> | Despite similarities to known neurotoxins such as [[methamphetamine]] and other [[Substituted cathinone|cathinone]] derivatives, mephedrone does not appear to produce neurotoxic effects in the dopamine system of mice.<ref>Mephedrone, an abused psychoactive component of 'bath salts' and methamphetamine congener, does not cause neurotoxicity to dopamine nerve endings of the striatum (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22191803</ref> | ||
It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this drug. | It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this drug. | ||
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===Dangerous interactions=== | ===Dangerous interactions=== | ||
{{DangerousInteractions/Intro}} | {{DangerousInteractions/Intro}} | ||
{{DangerousInteractions/Stimulants|self=[[cathinone]]s}} | {{DangerousInteractions/Stimulants|self=[[Substituted cathinone|cathinone]]s}} | ||
*'''[[MDMA]]''' - The neurotoxic effects of MDMA may be increased when combined with other stimulants. | *'''[[MDMA]]''' - The neurotoxic effects of MDMA may be increased when combined with other stimulants. | ||
*'''[[Cocaine]]''' - This combination may increase strain on the heart. | *'''[[Cocaine]]''' - This combination may increase strain on the heart. | ||
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*[[Responsible use]] | *[[Responsible use]] | ||
*[[Stimulants]] | *[[Stimulants]] | ||
*[[Substituted Cathinones]] | *[[Substituted cathinone|Cathinones]] | ||
*[[Amphetamine]] | *[[Amphetamine]] | ||
*[[MDMA]] | *[[MDMA]] | ||