MT-45: A new, dangerous legal high

Authors

  • Maurizio Coppola, MD
  • Raffaella Mondola, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2014.0219

Keywords:

MT-45, smart highs, legal high

Abstract

Epidemiological data confirm that the use of new psychoactive substances is on the rise around the world.1 Numerous reports have described medical emergencies associated with the consumption of unconventional drugs of misuse bought in “head” or “smart” shops or online.1 New psychoactive substances, also referred as “legal highs,” “smart drugs,” or “research chemicals,” are a large group of both plant derivatives and synthetic compounds, also in combination, purposefully designed as legal alternatives to illicit substances of abuse. The most popular and widely-spread new psychoactive substances are synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones, however, various different compounds such as amphetamine-like molecules, arylcyclohexylamines, synthetic hallucinogens, prescription drugs and hormones have been found in recreational products marketed as legal highs.1

Author Biographies

Maurizio Coppola, MD

Department of Addiction, ASL CN2, Alba, Italy

Raffaella Mondola, MD

Department of Mental Health, ASL CN1, Saluzzo, Italy

References

United Nations Office On Drugs And Crime (UNODC): World Drug Report 2014. Available at: https://www.unodc.org/documents/wdr2014/World_Drug_Report_2014_web.pdf. Accessed September 1, 2014.

Kikura-Hanajiri R, Kawamura NU, Goda Y: Changes in the prevalence of new psychoactive substances before and after the introduction of the generic scheduling of synthetic cannabinoids in Japan. Drug Test Anal. 2013; 6: 832-839.

Dipartimento Politiche Antidroga (DPA): Sistema Nazionale Di Allerta Precoce. Allegato 3-Registrati in Svezia 11 casi di decesso, di cui 1 con identificazione analitica della molecola MT-45. Available at: http://fimmg.bari.it/documenti/GT3T7_2.pdf. Accessed September 1, 2014.

Fujimura H, Tsurumi K, Nozaki M, et al.: Analgesic activity and opiate receptor binding of 1-cyclohexyl-4-(1,2- diphenylethyl)piperazine. Japanese Journal of Pharmacology. 1978; 28: 505-506.

Nakamura H, Shimizu M: Comparative study of 1-cyclohexyl-4-(1,2-diphenylethyl)-piperazine and its enantiomorphs on analgesic and othe pharmacological activities in experimental animals. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther. 1976; 221: 105-121.

Natsuka K, Nakamura H, Nishikawa Y, et al.: Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 1-substituted 4-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazine derivatives having narcotic agonist and antagonist activity. J Med Chem. 1987; 30: 1779-1787.

Natsuka K, Nishikawa Y, Nakamura H, et al.: Roles of two basic nitrogen atoms in 1-substituted 4-(1,2-dipheny - lethyl)piperazine derivatives in production of opioid agonist and antagonist activities. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1999; 47: 1790-1793.

Uchiyama N, Matsuda S, Kawamura M. et al.: Identification of two new-type designer drugs, piperazine derivative MT-45 (IC6) and synthetic peptide Noopept (GVS-111), with synthetic cannabinoid A-834735, cathinone derivative 4-methoxy-a-PVP, and phenethylamine derivative 4-methylbuphedrine from illegal products. Forensic Toxicology. 2014; 32: 9-18.

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Published

09/01/2014

How to Cite

Coppola, MD, M., and R. Mondola, MD. “MT-45: A New, Dangerous Legal High”. Journal of Opioid Management, vol. 10, no. 5, Sept. 2014, pp. 301-2, doi:10.5055/jom.2014.0219.

Issue

Section

Letters to the Editor