Methoxphenidine (methoxydiphenidine, 2-MeO-Diphenidine, MXP) is a dissociative of the diarylethylamine class that has been sold online as a designer drug.[1][2] Methoxphenidine was first reported in a 1989 patent where it was tested as a treatment for neurotoxic injury.[3] Shortly after the 2013 UK ban on arylcyclohexylamines methoxphenidine and the related compound diphenidine became available on the gray market, where it has been encountered as a powder and in tablet form.[4] Though diphenidine possesses higher affinity for the NMDA receptor, anecdotal reports suggest methoxphenidine has greater oral potency.[1] Of the three isomeric anisyl-substituents methoxphenidine has affinity for the NMDA receptor that is higher than 4-MeO-diphenidine but lower than 3-MeO-diphenidine,[3][5] a structure–activity relationship shared by the arylcyclohexylamines.[6]
Side effects
Acute methoxphenidine intoxication has been reported to produce confusion, hypertension, and tachycardia that was responsive to treatment with intravenous lorazepam,[7][8] methoxphenidine has also been associated with three published fatalities[9] and one case of impaired driving.[10]
Psychotic episodes have also been reported, including a murder in June 2014.[11]
Legal status
As of October 2015 MXP is a controlled substance in China.[12]
In Canada, MT-45 and its analogues were made Schedule I controlled substances, which includes DPD[clarification needed] in its structural group.[14] Possession without legal authority can result in maximum seven years imprisonment. Further, Health Canada amended the Food and Drug Regulations in May, 2016 to classify explicitly DPD as a restricted drug. Only those with a law enforcement agency, person with an exemption permit or institutions with Minister's authorization may possess the drug.
^ abMorris H, Wallach J (July–August 2014). "From PCP to MXE: a comprehensive review of the non-medical use of dissociative drugs". Drug Testing and Analysis. 6 (7–8): 614–632. doi:10.1002/dta.1620. PMID24678061.
^Van Hout MC, Hearne E (January–March 2015). ""Word of mouse": indigenous harm reduction and online consumerism of the synthetic compound methoxphenidine". Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 47 (1): 30–41. doi:10.1080/02791072.2014.974002. PMID25715070. S2CID6204908.
^ abEP 0346791, Gray NM, Cheng BK, "1,2-diarylethylamines for treatment of neurotoxic injury", issued 6 April 1994, assigned to GD Searle LLC
^Helander A, Beck O, Bäckberg M (June 2015). "Intoxications by the dissociative new psychoactive substances diphenidine and methoxphenidine". Clinical Toxicology. 53 (5): 446–453. doi:10.3109/15563650.2015.1033630. PMID25881797. S2CID5962038.
^"关于印发《非药用类麻醉药品和精神药品列管办法》的通知" [Notice on Issuing the Measures for the Listing and Control of Non-Medicinal Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances] (in Chinese). China Food and Drug Administration. 27 September 2015. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
