Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology
March 31, 2020
Esther Papaseit, Clara Pérez‐mañá, Marta Torrens et al.
34 citations
MDMA (ecstasy) is a widely used recreational stimulant. Users often combine it with other drugs to enhance effects, reduce toxicity, or manage comedowns, which increases the risk of severe toxicity. This review covers known interactions between MDMA and other pharmaceuticals or drugs of abuse, offering clinical recommendations. The authors note that few published studies exist and documented clinically significant interactions are scarce. Experimental evidence shows that interactions are especially relevant when MDMA is taken with drugs metabolized by the CYP2D6 enzyme, due to MDMA's inhibitory effect, and during repeated MDMA use.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
February 17, 2023
Lourdes Poyatos, Clara Pérez‐mañá, Olga Hladun et al.
26 citations
Methylone, a common synthetic cathinone used as a substitute for MDMA, produces similar acute effects in humans. In a controlled trial with 17 experienced psychostimulant users, a single 200 mg oral dose of methylone increased blood pressure and heart rate and induced pleasurable effects including stimulation, euphoria, wellbeing, enhanced empathy, and altered perception. Methylone's effect profile resembled MDMA's but with a faster onset and earlier disappearance of subjective effects. The findings suggest methylone's abuse potential is comparable to that of MDMA in humans.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
February 15, 2022
Lourdes Poyatos, A Acuna Torres, Esther Papaseit et al.
26 citations
Cathinone, mephedrone, methylone, and diethylpropion produce stimulant and euphorigenic effects similar to amphetamines and MDMA, with varying intensities that may correspond to different levels of abuse potential. This systematic review of 18 studies (5 on cathinone, 7 on mephedrone, 1 on methylone, 5 on diethylpropion) found that all four substances induce desirable and reinforcing effects that could lead to misuse and addiction. The authors conclude that further investigation is needed to minimize and prevent their impact on society and public health.
Frontiers in pharmacology
January 1, 2025
Georgina De la Rosa, Esther Papaseit, Olga Hladun et al.
7 citations
Alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP), a synthetic cathinone similar to MDPV and cocaine, produces rapid-onset psychostimulant and empathogenic effects after a single intranasal dose. In nine participants with prior psychostimulant use, 10 mg or 20 mg of α-PVP caused an acute increase in blood pressure and heart rate that peaked 40 minutes after administration. Subjective effects appeared quickly and resolved within 3 to 5 hours. The drug's psychostimulant properties resembled those of cocaine, and its empathogenic effects were similar to those of MDMA and other cathinones like methylone.