Feeling Death, Being Alive: 4-Methylethcathinone/Pentedrone Addiction and 3-Methoxyphencyclidine Intoxication

Abstract

New psychoactive substances (NPS), also known as designer drugs or legal highs, represent a broad range of different pharmacologically active substances. They are sold as replacements to established drugs such as cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Among adolescents in Europe, NPS are gaining popularity. Despite the increasing use of NPS, information about the acute health effects remains scarce and is even worse for the long-term effects or the addictive potential of NPS. Severe or fatal cases of NPS intoxications are reported. Although several authors warn about the addictive potential of synthetic cathinones, case reports or larger studies in humans are scarce. We present the case of a patient addicted to 4-methylethcathinone/pentedrone and an acute intoxication with 3-methoxyphencyclidine-piperidine cyclohexane carbonitrile. This case shows that the addictive potential of synthetic cathinones should not be underestimated.