Scientific Names

2-Methylamino-1-p-tolylpropan-1-one

Generic Name

4 methylmethcathinone

Effects Of Mephedrone

Desired Effects:

Excitement, euphoria, alertness, feelings of stimulation, urge to talk and openness. Users often compare the effects similar to MDMA (found in Ecstasy) or Amphetamines (speed). One of the main features of mephedrone is the strong compulsion to re-dose. The effects last for around 2 to 3 hours when taken orally. After effects such as Insomnia may last for several hours.

Side-Effects:

Anxiety, Insomnia, Paranoia, poor concentration, short term memory loss, palpitations, dizzines & vertigo, pain & swelling in the nose & throat, blood circulation problems, rashes, uncomfortable changes in body temperature, abnormal body odour, nausea, tightened jaw muscles and teeth grinding, muscle twitching, Tolerance builds up quickly so the desire to take more & more increases.

Risks

Almost nothing is known about the long term effects of the drug due to the short history of its use. However, there has been reports of vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) with repeated dosing, including moderate to severe symptoms of tingling and numbness in the extremities, headache, light-headedness and unusual skin discoloration. Currently two deaths of young people nation wide have been linked to mephedrone, but toxicology reports have yet to be concluded. Mixing drugs like mephedrone & Ketamine or mephedrone with Amphetamines increase the risks.

How does Mephedrone work?

Synthetic Stimulant, euphoriant, empathogen - it belongs to the chemical class of cathinones.

Legal status of Mephedrone

Class B under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Because of the similarity in names, it is sometimes confused with 'Methedrone' (4-methoxymethcathinone) or 'Methylone' (bk-MDMA). Also not to be confused with 'Methadone' (synthetic Opioid).

How Is Mephedrone Taken?

Mephedrone is most commonly sold as a white powder or crystal form or Capsules containing the powder. It can also be found in pill form.

Paraphernalia

If the drug is snorted - a razor blade will be used to chop it in to lines on a hard level surface such as a mirror or a sheet of glass or a tile.

Medical uses of Mephedrone

None.

Where does it come from?

Mephedrone comes from a compound of cathinone, which is a Class C drug. Mephedrone is made in Chinese laboratories and imported legally to the UK where it is often marketed as plant food.

Helping services

Most areas of the UK have ‘street agencies’ or projects (sometimes called community drug services or community drug teams) which offer a range of services including information and advice, counselling, needle exchanges and sometimes support groups and complementary therapies such as acupuncture. The increase in stimulant use has led to some agencies offering specialist counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy, acupuncture and other alternative therapies and prescribing of anti-depressants, and also possible referral to residential rehabilitation. Some services have extended working hours and may offer weekend support. GPs and possibly the local hospital A&E department can make referrals to specialist drug services as well as general medical services, information and advice often in partnership with a drug agency or Drug Dependency Unit.

Parents & other relatives

Drug agencies also provide lots of advice and support to parents of people using these drugs. Many street agencies can provide relative support groups or counselling for family members, partners etc.

You can view a list of National Drug Agencies.

If you would like to talk about mephedrone problems then please call the DAN 24/7 Helpline on:

0800 6 33 55 88