Human Pharmacology of Mephedrone in Comparison with MDMA


Por: Papaseit, E, Perez-Mana, C, Mateus, JA, Pujadas, M, Fonseca, F, Torrens, M, Olesti, E, de la Torre, R and Farre, M

Publicada: 1 oct 2016
Resumen:
Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is a novel psychoactive substance popular among drug users because it displays similar effects to MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ecstasy). Mephedrone consumption has been associated with undesirable effects and fatal intoxications. At present, there is no research available on its pharmacological effects in humans under controlled and experimental administration. This study aims to evaluate the clinical pharmacology of mephedrone and its relative abuse liability compared with MDMA. Twelve male volunteers participated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover, and placebo-controlled trial. The single oral dose conditions were: mephedrone 200 mg, MDMA 100 mg, and placebo. Outcome variables included physiological, subjective, and psychomotor effects, and pharmacokinetic parameters. The protocol was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02232789). Mephedrone produced a significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and pupillary diameter. It elicited stimulant-like effects, euphoria, and well-being, and induced mild changes in perceptions with similar ratings to those observed after MDMA administration although effects peaked earlier and were shorter in duration. Maximal plasma concentration values for mephedrone and MDMA peaked at 1.25 h and 2.00 h, respectively. The elimination half-life for mephedrone was 2.15 h and 7.89 h for MDMA. In a similar manner to MDMA, mephedrone exhibits high abuse liability. Its earlier onset and shorter duration of effects, probably related to its short elimination half-life, could explain a more compulsive pattern of use as described by the users.

Filiaciones:
:
 Hosp del Mar, Med Res Inst, Neurosci Res Program IMIM, Integrat Pharmacol & Syst Neurosci Res Grp, Parc Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain

 Univ Autonoma Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

 Hosp Univ Germans Trias & Pujol IGTP, Dept Clin Pharmacol, Carretera Canyet S-N, Badalona 08916, Spain

Perez-Mana, C:
 Hosp del Mar, Med Res Inst, Neurosci Res Program IMIM, Integrat Pharmacol & Syst Neurosci Res Grp, Parc Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain

 Univ Autonoma Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Mateus, JA:
 Hosp del Mar, Med Res Inst, Neurosci Res Program IMIM, Integrat Pharmacol & Syst Neurosci Res Grp, Parc Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain

Pujadas, M:
 Hosp del Mar, Med Res Inst, Neurosci Res Program IMIM, Integrat Pharmacol & Syst Neurosci Res Grp, Parc Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain

Fonseca, F:
 Univ Autonoma Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

 Inst Neuropisquiatria & Adicc, Addict Unit, Barcelona, Spain

 IMIM, Barcelona, Spain

Torrens, M:
 Univ Autonoma Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

 Inst Neuropisquiatria & Adicc, Addict Unit, Barcelona, Spain

 IMIM, Barcelona, Spain

Olesti, E:
 Hosp del Mar, Med Res Inst, Neurosci Res Program IMIM, Integrat Pharmacol & Syst Neurosci Res Grp, Parc Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain

 Univ Pompeu Fabra CEXS UPF, Barcelona, Spain

de la Torre, R:
 Hosp del Mar, Med Res Inst, Neurosci Res Program IMIM, Integrat Pharmacol & Syst Neurosci Res Grp, Parc Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain

 Univ Pompeu Fabra CEXS UPF, Barcelona, Spain

 CIBEROBN, CIBER Fisiopatol Obesidad & Nutr CB06 03, Madrid, Spain

:
 Hosp del Mar, Med Res Inst, Neurosci Res Program IMIM, Integrat Pharmacol & Syst Neurosci Res Grp, Parc Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain

 Univ Autonoma Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

 Hosp Univ Germans Trias & Pujol IGTP, Dept Clin Pharmacol, Carretera Canyet S-N, Badalona 08916, Spain
ISSN: 0893133X





Neuropsychopharmacology
Editorial
Nature Publishing Group, MACMILLAN BUILDING, 4 CRINAN ST, LONDON N1 9XW, ENGLAND, Reino Unido
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 41 Número: 11
Páginas: 2704-2713
WOS Id: 000382901900010
ID de PubMed: 27206266
imagen Green Published, Bronze, Green Accepted

MÉTRICAS