China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Novel psychoactive substances and inhalants
Published in Ilana B. Crome, Richard Williams, Roger Bloor, Xenofon Sgouros, Substance Misuse and Young People, 2019
3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is a synthetic cathinone which is marketed under a variety of names including bath salts, Ivory Wave, plant fertiliser, Vanilla Sky, Explosion, Blow, Recharge, Energy-1, or Monkey Dust. It was classified as a Class B drug in 2010 in the UK and, since 2012, is a Schedule 1 drug in the USA.
Ritonavir and Cobicistat
Published in M. Lindsay Grayson, Sara E. Cosgrove, Suzanne M. Crowe, M. Lindsay Grayson, William Hope, James S. McCarthy, John Mills, Johan W. Mouton, David L. Paterson, Kucers’ The Use of Antibiotics, 2017
Synthetic cathinone derivatives (e.g. mephedrone) are a diverse group of compounds whose metabolism is still being elucidated. In vitro, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is a substrate of CYP1A2, 2C19, and 2D6 (Meyer et al., 2010). Consequently it is possible that concentrations could increase when co-administered with ritonavir.
Marvin the Paranoid Android and Alice in Wonderland
Published in Ornella Corazza, Andres Roman-Urrestarazu, Handbook of Novel Psychoactive Substances, 2018
Pierluigi Simonato, Attilio Negri, Marco Solmi, Rita Santacroce
When Alice arrived in our unit, she was also interviewed about NPSs, and for the very first time, she reported an intense use of synthetic cathinones, mainly mephedrone. Furthermore, she disclosed the use of a variety of NPS of different classes and specifically Mephedrone: she obtained this synthetic cathinone on the street market, consuming it with her friends for an entire year (2012) instead of cocaine. She reported nasal insufflation and smoking mephedrone four days per week, with a progressively higher dosage (from 0.5 grams to 4 grams). She used mephedrone because it was (a) ‘easily available’, (b) ‘very cheap’, and with (c) a ‘powerful stimulant effect, better and different than cocaine’. She reported in particular many ‘bad trips’, especially during the 24-hour comedown, with strong low mood and suicidal thoughts. Described common withdrawal symptoms were sweating, headaches, and insomnia.Other synthetic cathinones: she reported sporadic use of several substances of this family; she only remembered the name of MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone), sold in the form of crystal ‘bath salts’.Ayahuasca: she reported the ingestion of this plant brew only one time, describing a typical delusional parasitosis (Ekbom’s syndrome).Psychedelic mushrooms (‘magic mushrooms’): ingested three or four times; she reported the classic psychedelic effect due to contained tryptamines (psilocybin and psilocin).Synthetic cannabis (‘Spice drugs’): she smoked compounds belonging to this wide group four times, describing effects as ‘similar’ to cannabis but more ‘dissociative’ and also with visual hallucinogenic effects. She was not able to identify the specific chemical compounds.Salvia divinorum: she consumed this drug two times, experiencing brief visual hallucinogenic effects and uncontrolled laughter.
Comparison of clinical characteristics between meth/amphetamine and synthetic cathinone users presented to the emergency department
Published in Clinical Toxicology, 2022
Te-I Weng, Hsien-Yi Chen, Lengsu W. Chin, Hsin-Hui Chou, Meng-Huan Wu, Guan-yuan Chen, Ju-Yu Chen, Chia-Pang Shih, Chih-Chuan Lin, Cheng-Chung Fang
Hyperthermia was more common in the SC group than in the MA group. Hyperthermia is an important factor that exacerbates the deleterious effects (including rhabdomyolysis) of psychostimulants and should be aggressively treated [26]. Based on prior literature, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin have all been suggested to play major roles in regulating hypothalamic control of body temperature [27]. Drugs altering the levels of these neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus are therefore capable of altering body temperature regulation. Previous studies have also shown that hyperthermia is a major symptom in overdose cases of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone, and other cathinones [8,12,28]. Users may increase their intake since most cathinones do not have a high potency on the CNS effects, and the exaggerated peripheral effects may cause severe vasoconstriction and limited heat dissipation, which causes hyperthermia [29]. Cathinone users who simultaneously use different SC may have aggravated hyperthermic toxicity [30]. A previous mouse study reported enhanced locomotor-stimulant effects of MDPV, but not MDMA, at a warm ambient temperature. The locomotor-stimulant effects may further aggravate hyperthermia [31].
“Not for Human Consumption”: A Descriptive Investigation into User Characteristics, Motives, and Consequences Associated with Bath Salt Use
Published in Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 2019
Lauren Zimmerman, Tess M. Kilwein, Danielle Beyer, Cassidy Marks, Alison Looby
One of the most predominant synthetic cathinones, 3,4 methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), is the fifth most commonly used hallucinogen within the US (DEA 2017), and an increase in reported use of another form, 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone), was observed in various countries (e.g., Australia, US) beginning in 2007 (Winstock et al. 2011; Winstock, Mitcheson, and Marsden 2010). Calls to poison control centers regarding bath salts exposure increased from 304 calls in 2010 to 6136 in 2012 (American Association of Poison Control Centers 2011) and accounted for 12% of all toxicology-related cases tracked by the Toxicology Investigators Consortium in 2011 (Wiegand et al. 2012). Despite the noted increase in use and associated harms, the absolute prevalence of bath salt use remains low, especially in comparison to other illicit drugs. Specifically, fewer than 1% of high school students report having ever used bath salts (Miech et al. 2015), and just over 1% of US college students have reported using at least once (Stogner and Miller 2013). Previous research also demonstrates that bath salt users tend to be male, 18–24 years old, Caucasian, and with some college education (Johnson and Johnson 2014).
“Marvin, the Paranoid Android”: The Case of an Alpha-PVP User in the Expanding Galaxy of NPS
Published in Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 2018
Simonato Pierluigi, Bulsis Laura, Negri Attilio, Bansal Gurjeet K, Pessa Gloria, Mioni Davide, Giuseppe Borgherini, Martinotti Giovanni, Schifano Fabrizio, Giulia Perini, Corazza Ornella
Alpha-PVP is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, chemically related to pyrovalerones (e.g., methylenedioxypyrovalerone; MDPV), belonging to the synthetic cathinones constellation (Katselou et al. 2016; Sauer et al. 2009). It was first synthetized approximately 50 years ago, but recently gained popularity as a recreational NPS. Due to its similarity to MDPV, this compound was suggested to be a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (Kolanos et al., 2015; Smith et al. 2016), but with an unclear pharmacological profile. A recent study (Kaizaki, Tanaka, and Numazawa 2014) investigated the effects of Alpha-PVP in comparison to methamphetamine on the CNS of mice. The results concluded an earlier and stronger locomotor activity, and a rapid and shorter increase of dopamine in the striatum (D1 and D2 receptors). Further studies have suggested that Alpha-PVP acts as a dopamine-releasing agent (Aarde et al. 2015; Kaizaki, Tanaka, and Numazawa 2014; Smith et al. 2016), the main mechanism being responsible for CNS stimulation and psychopathological consequences.