A harmless high?

Sammler, Esther; Foley, Peter; Lauder, Gavin D; Wilson, Simon; Goudie, Andrew; O'Riordan, J I

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(10)60891-4

Cited by 56 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Sammler et al 6 reported in August 2010 a single case of a 15-year-old with a reduced level of consciousness following the ingestion of alcohol and what urine gas chromatography revealed to be mephedrone. Tests revealed a reduced serum sodium and osmolarity, an elevated cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure and an elevated urine osmolarity.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We believe further study would be of benefit in defining the pathological effects of this drug in overdose. Any future study would ideally also contain provision for urine6 12 13 or plasma testing both to qualify inclusion and quantify levels in subjects enrolled. This may then guide discharge decisions and help define observation periods and potential treatment protocols.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Mephedrone toxicity in a Scottish emergency department

Regan

Mitchelson

Macdonald

2010

Emergency Medicine Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mephedrone toxicity in a Scottish emergency department

Regan

Mitchelson

Macdonald

2010

Emergency Medicine Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Her neurologic symptoms improved with correction of the sodium except for mild dysphasia and anterograde amnesia. Two months later, she had complete resolution of all symptoms [37]. The other two cases were both fatalities.…”

Section: Subjective User Effectsmentioning

confidence: 88%

The Toxicology of Bath Salts: A Review of Synthetic Cathinones

2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Synthetic cathinones have recently emerged and grown to be popular drugs of abuse. Their dramatic increase has resulted in part from sensationalized media attention as well as widespread availability on the Internet. They are often considered "legal highs" and sold as "bath salts" or "plant food" and labeled "not for human consumption" to circumvent drug abuse legislation. Cathinone is a naturally occurring beta-ketone amphetamine analogue found in the leaves of the Catha edulis plant. Synthetic cathinones are derivatives of this compound. Those that are being used as drugs of abuse include butylone, dimethylcathinone, ethcathinone, ethylone, 3-and 4-fluoromethcathinone, mephedrone, methedrone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), methylone, and pyrovalerone. Synthetic cathinones are phenylalkylamines derivatives, and are often termed "bk-amphetamines" for the beta-ketone moiety. They may possess both amphetaminelike properties and the ability to modulate serotonin, causing distinct psychoactive effects. Desired effects reported by users of synthetic cathinones include increased energy, empathy, openness, and increased libido. Cardiac, psychiatric, and neurological signs and symptoms are the most common adverse effects reported in synthetic cathinone users who require medical care. Deaths associated with use of these compounds have been reported. Exposure to and use of synthetic cathinones are becoming increasingly popular despite a lack of scientific research and understanding of the potential harms of these substances. The clinical similarities to amphetamines and MDMA specifically are predictable based on the chemical structure of this class of agents. More work is necessary to understand the mechanisms of action, toxicokinetics, toxicodynamics, metabolism, clinical and psychological effects as well as the potential for addiction and withdrawal of these agents.

show abstract

“…In 15 patients admitted to an emergency department following mephedrone use, the pattern of clinical toxicity included agitation in 53%, tachycardia in 40%, systolic hypertension in 20%, and seizures in 20% 51. In overdose patients, physical manifestations range from severe hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, hyponatremia, acidosis,52 and seizures to those as severe as stroke, cerebral edema, cardiorespiratory collapse, myocardial infarction, multiple organ failure, and death. A case of severe neurologic toxicity and hyponatremia, followed by rhabdomyolysis, and consistent serotonin toxicity related to ethcathinone and methylone poisoning was reported in 2012 53.…”

Section: Human Use Of Substituted Cathinonesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging drugs of abuse: current perspectives on substituted cathinones

Paillet-Loilier¹,

Cesbron²,

Boisselier³

et al. 2014

SAR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Substituted cathinones are synthetic analogs of cathinone that can be considered as derivatives of phenethylamines with a beta-keto group on the side chain. They appeared in the recreational drug market in the mid-2000s and now represent a large class of new popular drugs of abuse. Initially considered as legal highs, their legal status is variable by country and is rapidly changing, with government institutions encouraging their control. Some cathinones (such as diethylpropion or pyrovalerone) have been used in a medical setting and bupropion is actually indicated for smoking cessation. Substituted cathinones are widely available from internet websites, retail shops, and street dealers. They can be sold under chemical, evocative or generic names, making their identification difficult. Fortunately, analytical methods have been developed in recent years to solve this problem. Available as powders, substituted cathinones are self-administered by snorting, oral injestion, or intravenous injection. They act as central nervous system stimulants by causing the release of catecholamines (dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin) and blocking their reuptake in the central and peripheral nervous system. They may also decrease dopamine and serotonin transporter function as nonselective substrates or potent blockers and may inhibit monoamine oxidase effects. Nevertheless, considerable differences have been found in the potencies of the different substituted cathinones in vitro. Desired effects reported by users include increased energy, empathy, and improved libido. Cardiovascular (tachycardia, hypertension) and psychiatric/neurological signs/symptoms (agitation, seizures, paranoia, and hallucinations) are the most common adverse effects reported. Severe toxicity signs compatible with excessive serotonin activity, such as hyperthermia, metabolic acidosis, and prolonged rhabdomyolysis, have also been observed. Reinforcing potential observed in animals predicts a high potential for addiction and abuse in users. In case of overdose, no specific antidote exists and no curative treatment has been approved by health authorities. Therefore, management of acute toxic effects is mainly extrapolated from experience with cocaine/amphetamines.

show abstract

A harmless high?

Cited by 56 publications

References 4 publications

Mephedrone toxicity in a Scottish emergency department

Mephedrone toxicity in a Scottish emergency department

The Toxicology of Bath Salts: A Review of Synthetic Cathinones

Emerging drugs of abuse: current perspectives on substituted cathinones

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About