mephedrone (4 - methylmethcathinone)

Last reviewed 01/2018

Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) - colloquially known as 'Miaow,' '4-MMC,'Meph,' and 'TopCat'

  • is believed to act by stimulating the release of monoamine neurotransmitters and inhibit their reuptake

  • is a synthetic stimulant that is chemically related to cathinone, the psychoactive chemical class present in the khat plant

  • drug causes euphoria, sexual stimulation, stimulus-enhanced appreciation for music, and similar effects to cocaine, amphetamines, and MDMA

  • also causes hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia and other delusions, seizures, poor concentration, poor short-term memory, teeth grinding, raised blood pressure, dilated pupils, and seizures

  • can be taken orally, snorted, or intravenously administered

  • several deaths from effects of the drug have been reported in Europe
    • Stimulant related deaths typically result from a sympathomimetic toxidrome - a constellation of symptoms and signs that can be seen with excessive consumption of stimulant type drugs - accompanied by cardiac conduction problems, cerebral haemorrhage, and sometimes hyperpyrexia

  • available in the form of tablets, capsules, or white powder. Snorting is the most common route of drug use, and the intravenous the least used

Mephedrone was classified as a Class B drug in the UK in 2010.

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