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Methcathinone
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH 1993;14:426
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Methcathinone
Over the past few years, the drug Methcathinone has become a popular drug of abuse in Michigan and has great potential to become even more widespread. Methcathinone is structurally related to amphetamine and shares many of its neuropharmacologic and clinical effects. In animal studies, it has the same qualitative effects on neurotransmitter release as does amphetamine and metamphetamine but is quantitatively more potent (1). Methcathinone was synthesized more than 30 years ago in Great Britain as an appetite suppressant, However, it was never marketed because of its addictive potential. In the 197Os, methcathinone emerged as a significant drug of abuse in the Soviet Union. Methcathinone was virtually unknown in the United States until 1989 when it first appeared in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Use of the drug spread over the next two years as the “recipe” was perfected and its use became popular among young adults. In 1991 and 1992, there were more than 60 seizures of Methcathinone in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (2). Methcathinone, known locally as “cat” or f’goob,” is usually snorted or injected. It is also effective when ingested orally or if absorbed through the skin. Clinically, the effects of Methcathinone resemble those of amphetamine or metamphetamine and last for hours. Acute effects include psychomotor activation, insomnia, anorexia, hallucinations, paranoia, palpitations, and seizures. Chronic use causes weight loss which may be profound. Physical and psychological dependence develop rapidly and the drug is highly addictive. The rapid spread of Methcathinone in Michigan is attributed to the highly addictive character of the
426 1054439xl93&6.00
drug and the ease with which the drug is produced. Methcathinone is manufactured from ingredients that are legal, inexpensive, and available in any hardware store. Production of the drug is easy (it can be done in the back of d van) and does not require the same sophistication as the production of metamphetamine. Finally, profit from the synthesis of Methcathinone can be enormous; drug which takes less than a day to prepare is typically marked up 33,000% over the cost of ingredients. Methcathinone is now appearing in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and in other states (3). Given the drugs highly addictive nature and the ease of its production, it seems likely that its use will continue to spread. Health care providers should screen at-risk patients for use of methcathinone, suspect its use in patients who demonstrate signs and symptoms of amphetamine use, and intervene aggressively if use of methcathinone is discovered. David S. Rosen, M.D. M.P.H. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics University of Michigan Medical Center
References 1. Glennon RA, Yousif M, Naiman, N, et al. Methcathinone: a new and potent amphetamine-like agent. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1987; 26547-551. 2. Schaefer J. Cheap, potent drug spreads from UP. Detroit Free Press. March 23.1993; p3A. 3. Treml WB. Brothers to be tried on charges they made, sold designer drug. Ann Arbor News April 21 1993; pD1.
8 Society for Adolescent Medicine, 1993 PubWwd by Elsevier Science Publishing Co.. Inc., 655 Avenue of the Americas, &w York. NY 10010
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Methcathinone
Over the past few years, the drug Methcathinone has become a popular drug of abuse in Michigan and has great potential to become even more widespread. Methcathinone is structurally related to amphetamine and shares many of its neuropharmacologic and clinical effects. In animal studies, it has the same qualitative effects on neurotransmitter release as does amphetamine and metamphetamine but is quantitatively more potent (1). Methcathinone was synthesized more than 30 years ago in Great Britain as an appetite suppressant, However, it was never marketed because of its addictive potential. In the 197Os, methcathinone emerged as a significant drug of abuse in the Soviet Union. Methcathinone was virtually unknown in the United States until 1989 when it first appeared in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Use of the drug spread over the next two years as the “recipe” was perfected and its use became popular among young adults. In 1991 and 1992, there were more than 60 seizures of Methcathinone in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (2). Methcathinone, known locally as “cat” or f’goob,” is usually snorted or injected. It is also effective when ingested orally or if absorbed through the skin. Clinically, the effects of Methcathinone resemble those of amphetamine or metamphetamine and last for hours. Acute effects include psychomotor activation, insomnia, anorexia, hallucinations, paranoia, palpitations, and seizures. Chronic use causes weight loss which may be profound. Physical and psychological dependence develop rapidly and the drug is highly addictive. The rapid spread of Methcathinone in Michigan is attributed to the highly addictive character of the
426 1054439xl93&6.00
drug and the ease with which the drug is produced. Methcathinone is manufactured from ingredients that are legal, inexpensive, and available in any hardware store. Production of the drug is easy (it can be done in the back of d van) and does not require the same sophistication as the production of metamphetamine. Finally, profit from the synthesis of Methcathinone can be enormous; drug which takes less than a day to prepare is typically marked up 33,000% over the cost of ingredients. Methcathinone is now appearing in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and in other states (3). Given the drugs highly addictive nature and the ease of its production, it seems likely that its use will continue to spread. Health care providers should screen at-risk patients for use of methcathinone, suspect its use in patients who demonstrate signs and symptoms of amphetamine use, and intervene aggressively if use of methcathinone is discovered. David S. Rosen, M.D. M.P.H. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics University of Michigan Medical Center
References 1. Glennon RA, Yousif M, Naiman, N, et al. Methcathinone: a new and potent amphetamine-like agent. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1987; 26547-551. 2. Schaefer J. Cheap, potent drug spreads from UP. Detroit Free Press. March 23.1993; p3A. 3. Treml WB. Brothers to be tried on charges they made, sold designer drug. Ann Arbor News April 21 1993; pD1.
8 Society for Adolescent Medicine, 1993 PubWwd by Elsevier Science Publishing Co.. Inc., 655 Avenue of the Americas, &w York. NY 10010