Intended and unintended use of cathinone mixtures

Guirguis, Amira; Corkery, John; Stair, Jacqueline L.; Kirton, Stewart B.; Zloh, Mire; Schifano, Fabrizio

doi:10.1002/hup.2598

Cited by 44 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 121 publications

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“…Taking into account cathinone's pharmacological and behavioural effects’ classification described above, a few differences seem to emerge between the different categories.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further targeted treatment to control aggression and agitation may include intramuscular or intranasal midazolam, or intramuscular lorazepam. This approach may be useful as well to stop seizures . Benzodiazepines, however, may be a problem whilst in presence of alcohol and, where patients cannot be controlled with benzodiazepines alone, propofol and/or antipsychotics may be considered.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among new psychoactive substances (NPS), cathinones constitute a very relevant group to clinicians, policy‐makers and other stake‐holders . Mephedrone was reportedly first synthesized in 1929 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some classifications consider their effects in relation to different substrates or non‐substrate transporter inhibitors . Four categories of synthetic cathinones are typically described in terms of their behavioural effects (for a thorough review, see and): Cocaine/3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)‐related effects; these are reported with a range of molecules including: mephedrone, 4‐methylethcathinone (4‐MEC), methylone, ethylone, butylone and naphyrone are substrates for the dopamine (DA) transporter (DAT), norepinephrine (NE) transporter, and serotonin transporter (SERT); MDMA‐related effects; associated with: methedrone and 4‐trifluoromethylmethcathinone exhibit a higher inhibitory potency at SERT compared to their DAT activity, but at the same time promote release of both NE and 5‐HT, like amphetamine analogues such as MDMA, paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA), paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) and 4‐ethylthioamphetamine (4‐MTA); Methamphetamine‐like effects; associated with: cathinone, methcathinone, flephedrone, ethcathinone and 3‐fluoromethcathinone are monoamine transporter substrates with DAT selective profiles; they show high inhibitory potencies at DAT and exhibit lower inhibitory potencies at SERT . They promote the release of NE and DA in a similar way to methylamphetamine; Pyrovalerone‐like effects; associated with: pyrovalerone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and α‐pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α‐PVP).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among new psychoactive substances (NPS), cathinones constitute a very relevant group to clinicians, policy-makers and other stakeholders. 1 Mephedrone was reportedly first synthesized in 1929. 2 In 2007, reports of 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone) use emerged, first in Israel and then in other countries and regions, including Australia, Scandinavia, Ireland and the UK.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The clinical challenges of synthetic cathinones

Schifano

Napoletano

Arillotta

et al. 2020

Brit J Clinical Pharma

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Aims Within the new psychoactive substances (NPS) scenario, several hundred different molecules, mostly including synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones, have been identified so far. The aims of the paper were to: (i) identify the number of synthetic cathinones mentioned in a range of psychonaut, NPS‐related, online sources; and (ii) describe the associated acute/long term clinical scenario and the related treatment/management plan. Methods After about 18 months of operation and exclusion of false positives/duplicates, some 4204 unique NPS molecules were included in the NPSfinder® crawling/navigating software database. Most popular NPS included: 1265 psychedelic phenethylamines (30.1%; confidence interval [CI] 95%: 28.7–31.5%); 1253 synthetic cannabinoids (29.8%; CI 95%: 28.4–31.2%); 429 synthetic opioids (10.2%; CI 95%: 9.3–10.2%); and 171 synthetic cathinones (4.1%; CI 95% 3.5–4.7%). Conversely, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction databases respectively included 169 and 140 cathinones. Overall, the 3 databases reported some 222 synthetic cathinones, and 41 were uniquely identified by the NPSfinder®. Results In terms of clinical scenarios, synthetic cathinone ingestion is initially associated with stimulant effects; however, psychopathological disturbances, violence, suicidal behaviour, hyperthermia, coma and death have also been described. Conclusion The proportion of cathinones commented on by psychonaut fora appeared to be relatively small, and similar to those reported by both the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. This may be associated with a recent significant decline in both cathinone‐related consumption and acute medical presentation. Due to their complex behavioural and medical toxicity issues, healthcare professionals should be, however, be educated to recognise the signs and symptoms of NPS, including synthetic cathinone, ingestion.

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“…Taking into account cathinone's pharmacological and behavioural effects’ classification described above, a few differences seem to emerge between the different categories.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

The clinical challenges of synthetic cathinones

Schifano

Napoletano

Arillotta

et al. 2020

Brit J Clinical Pharma

Self Cite

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Electrochemical profiling and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry characterization of synthetic cathinones: From methodology to detection in forensic samples

Schram

Parrilla

Sleegers

et al. 2021

Drug Testing and Analysis

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The emergence of new psychoactive drugs in the market demands rapid and accurate tools for the on‐site classification of illegal and legal compounds with similar structures. Herein, a novel method for the classification of synthetic cathinones (SCs) is presented based on their electrochemical profile. First, the electrochemical profile of five common SC (i.e., mephedrone, ethcathinone, methylone, butylone, and 4‐chloro‐alpha‐pyrrolidinovalerophenone) is collected to build calibration curves using square wave voltammetry on graphite screen‐printed electrodes (SPEs). Second, the elucidation of the oxidation pathways, obtained by liquid chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry, allows the pairing of the oxidation products to the SC electrochemical profile, providing a selective and robust classification. Additionally, the effect of common adulterants and illicit drugs on the electrochemical profile of the SC is explored. Interestingly, a cathodic pretreatment of the SPE allows the selective detection of each SC in presence of electroactive adulterants. Finally, the electrochemical approach is validated with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry by analyzing 26 confiscated samples from seizures and illegal webshops. Overall, the electrochemical method exhibits a successful classification of SC including structural derivatives, a crucial attribute in an ever‐diversifying drug market.

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A narrative review of the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones—Popular alternatives to classical drugs of abuse

Kuropka¹,

Zawadzki

Szpot

2023

Human Psychopharmacology

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Objective To review the literature on the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones. Methods A comprehensive literature search was carried out across multiple databases (mainly PubMed, World Wide Web, and Google Scholar) using relevant keywords. Results Cathinones exhibit a broad toxicological profile, mimicking the effects of a wide variety of ‘classic drugs’ such as 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methamphetamine and cocaine. Even small structural changes affect their interactions with key proteins. This article reviews existing knowledge of the mechanisms of action of cathinones at the molecular level, and key findings from research on their structure‐activity relationship. The cathinones are also classified according to their chemical structure and neuropharmacological profiles. Conclusions Synthetic cathinones represent one of the most numerous and widespread groups among new psychoactive substances. Initially developed for therapeutic purposes, they quickly started to be used recreationally. With a rapidly increasing number of new agents entering the market, structure‐activity relationship studies are valuable for assessing and predicting the addictive potential and toxicity of new and potential future substances. The neuropharmacological properties of synthetic cathinones are still not fully understood. A full elucidation of the role of some key proteins, including organic cation transporters, requires detailed studies.

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Intended and unintended use of cathinone mixtures

Cited by 44 publications

References 121 publications

The clinical challenges of synthetic cathinones

The clinical challenges of synthetic cathinones

Electrochemical profiling and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry characterization of synthetic cathinones: From methodology to detection in forensic samples

A narrative review of the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones—Popular alternatives to classical drugs of abuse

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