Intoxications by the dissociative new psychoactive substances diphenidine and methoxphenidine
Clinical toxicology May 8, 2015 A. Helander, O. Beck, M. Bäckberg
Diphenidine and methoxphenidine (MXP) are new dissociative recreational drugs sold online. In a Swedish case series of 750 suspected new psychoactive substance (NPS) intoxications over 12 months in 2014, 17 patients tested positive for diphenidine (14 cases) or MXP (3 cases). Most patients were men (76%), aged 20–48 (median 32). Common symptoms included hypertension (76%), anxiety (65%), and altered mental status (65%) such as confusion, dissociation, or hallucinations. Eight patients (47%) had severe intoxication. Polysubstance use occurred in 87% of cases. The adverse effects resembled those of ketamine and methoxetamine, though co-use of other drugs may have contributed.