Para-Methoxy-N-methylamphetamine explained

para-Methoxy-N-methylamphetamine (also known as PMMA, Red Mitsubishi), chemically known as methyl-MA, 4-methoxy-N-methylamphetamine, and 4-MMA (or 4-PMDA, as listed to its original physical name) is a stimulant and psychedelic drug closely related to the amphetamine-class serotonergic drug para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA). PMMA is the 4-methoxy analog of methamphetamine. Little is known about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of PMMA; because of its structural similarity to PMA, which has known toxicity in humans, it is thought to have considerable potential to cause harmful side effects or death in overdose.[1] In the early 2010s, a number of deaths in users of the drug MDMA were linked to misrepresented tablets and capsules of PMMA.[2]

Its effects in humans are reputedly similar to those of PMA, but slightly more empathogenic in nature. It has a reduced tendency to produce severe hyperthermia at low dosages,[3] [4] but at higher dosages side effects and risk of death become similar to those of PMA.[5]

The synthesis and effects of PMMA were described by American experimental chemist Alexander Shulgin in his book PiHKAL, where it is referred to by the name "methyl-MA", as the N-methylated form of 4-MA (PMA). Shulgin reported that PMMA produces an increase in blood pressure and in heart rate, at doses above 100 mg, but causes no psychoactive effects at these levels.

Recreational use

PMMA has been found in tablets and capsules of the MDMA sold as "ecstasy". A number of deaths have been attributed to tablets sold as ecstasy that contained other substances, such as PMMA's structural analog, PMA.[6] [7] Death can occur when an ecstasy user believes they are consuming recreational doses of MDMA, when they are in fact consuming a lethal dose of another substance with similar effects. PMA is of particular concern because it not only causes a release of serotonin but also acts as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI); if it is used in combination with MDMA or another MDMA-like substance, serotonin syndrome can result.[8]

PMMA can be detected with reagent testing kits.

Deaths

In January 2011, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Norway had seen 12 deaths related to PMMA over the course of six months. In March 2011, Dutch media reported that there had been four deaths in the province of Limburg since November 2010.[9] In April 2011, Icelandic media reported the death of a young woman that may have been connected to PMMA.

In 2011, four deaths were recorded in Scotland as a result of ecstasy tablets which also contained PMMA.[10]

In January 2012, a number of ecstasy-related deaths in Canada in the previous year were linked to PMMA overdoses. In the single year, approximately 45 exposures occurred, resulting in 21 deaths. Cases were centred primarily in Calgary and Vancouver.[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

In September 2012, the deaths of two men in County Cork, Ireland, have been linked to PMMA overdoses.[17] In the same month, the death of a man in Queensland, Australia was attributed to PMMA.[18]

In June 2013 a PMMA-related death occurred in the Dutch city of 's-Hertogenbosch.[19] Two months later, In August 2013, another possibly PMMA-related death occurred in the nearby town of Sliedrecht.[20] [21] [22]

In January 2015 in the UK four people died, suspected of taking ecstasy containing PMMA.[23] In the same month, in Sweden, another man died from ecstasy laced with PMMA.[24]

In May 2015 a young woman died in Dublin, Ireland, after taking what is suspected to be PMMA.[25]

In April 2016 four young Argentines and one Uruguayan died during a massive rave called "Time Warp" in Buenos Aires and five more were hospitalized. PMMA was found in their bodies.[26]

Legal status

United States

On June 25, 2021 the DEA finalized a rule placing PMMA on the Controlled Substance Act federal Schedule as a Schedule I substance effective July 26, 2021.[27]

United Kingdom

PMMA is controlled as a Schedule 1, Class A drug in the UK.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Becker J, Neis P, Röhrich J, Zörntlein S . A fatal paramethoxymethamphetamine intoxication . Legal Medicine . 5 . S138-41 . March 2003 . 12935573 . 10.1016/s1344-6223(02)00096-2 . 5 . Suppl 1 .
  2. Web site: Five B.C. deaths linked to lethal chemical PMMA . 13 January 2012 . Vancouver Sun.
  3. Glennon RA, Young R, Dukat M, Cheng Y . Initial characterization of PMMA as a discriminative stimulus . Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior . 57 . 1–2 . 151–8 . 1997 . 9164566 . 10.1016/S0091-3057(96)00306-1 . 28758326 .
  4. Rangisetty JB, Bondarev ML, Chang-Fong J, Young R, Glennon RA . PMMA-stimulus generalization to the optical isomers of MBDB and 3,4-DMA . Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior . 69 . 1–2 . 261–7 . 2001 . 11420094 . 10.1016/S0091-3057(01)00530-5 . 41953749 .
  5. Johansen SS, Hansen AC, Müller IB, Lundemose JB, Franzmann MB . Three fatal cases of PMA and PMMA poisoning in Denmark . Journal of Analytical Toxicology . 27 . 4 . 253–6 . 2003 . 12820749 . 10.1093/jat/27.4.253 . 42519181 . free .
  6. Refstad S . Paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) poisoning; a 'party drug' with lethal effects . Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica . 47 . 10 . 1298–9 . November 2003 . 14616331 . 10.1046/j.1399-6576.2003.00245.x . 28006785 . free .
  7. Lamberth PG, Ding GK, Nurmi LA . Fatal paramethoxy-amphetamine (PMA) poisoning in the Australian Capital Territory . The Medical Journal of Australia . 188 . 7 . 426 . April 2008 . 18393753 . 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2008.tb01695.x . 11987961 .
  8. Green AL, El Hait MA . p-Methoxyamphetamine, a potent reversible inhibitor of type-A monoamine oxidase in vitro and in vivo . The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology . 32 . 4 . 262–6 . April 1980 . 6103055 . 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1980.tb12909.x . 42213032 .
  9. Web site: PMMA deaths in Holland. nu.nl. 8 June 2011.
  10. Web site: Warning over ecstasy pills that raise overdose risk . 16 December 2011 . BBC News . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120425143045/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16224849 . 25 April 2012.
  11. Web site: Rare chemical found in fatal ecstasy. https://web.archive.org/web/20120117004747/http://www.theprovince.com/life/Rare+chemical+found+fatal+ecstasy/5998482/story.html . dead . 17 January 2012 . The Province . 15 January 2012 . 12 January 2012 .
  12. Web site: Overdose death investigated . Nanton News . 24 January 2012.
  13. Web site: Seized substances sent for testing after suspected overdose . Calgary Herald. 24 January 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120127040640/http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/alberta/Update+Seized+substances+sent+testing+after+suspected+overdose+SAIT/6037966/story.html . 27 January 2012.
  14. Web site: Tainted ecstasy linked to five Calgary deaths could be from B.C. . Vancouver Sun . 12 January 2012 . 12 January 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130304085614/http://www.vancouversun.com/touch/story.html?id=5980841 . 4 March 2013.
  15. Web site: Authorities renew warning about street drugs . The City of Calgary Newsroom . 11 January 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120115072845/http://newsroom.calgary.ca/pr/calgary/authorities-renew-warning-about-221684.aspx . 15 January 2012.
  16. Web site: Ecstasy laced with meth in overdose cases. 12 January 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20120112020050/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2012/01/11/calgary-ecstasy-meth-deaths.html. 12 January 2012.
  17. Web site: Dangerous drug linked to Kinsale deaths . Irish Independent. 13 September 2012 . 13 September 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120913021332/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0913/1224323959421.html . 13 September 2012.
  18. Web site: Queensland Police investigate three deaths linked to 'poison pill' ecstasy overdoses . news.com.au . 9 September 2012 . 30 September 2012.
  19. Web site: Den Bosch issues a warning for dangerous XTC-pills. nu.nl. 12 June 2013.
  20. Web site: Tiener overleden aan drugs . 30 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130829114721/http://www.hetkompassliedrecht.nl/lokaal/tiener_overleden_aan_drugssliedrecht__in_sliedrecht_is_zondag_een_meisje_van_zestien_jaar_overleden_2526291.html . 29 August 2013 .
  21. Web site: Naomi (16): dood door roze xtc-pil. 26 August 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130829063908/http://www.misdaadjournalist.nl/2013/08/naomi-16-dood-door-roze-xtc-pil/. 29 August 2013. 26 August 2013.
  22. Web site: Waarschuwing: dodelijke 'XTC' in omloop . 26 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130829040737/http://www.camilleri.nl/2013/08/waarschuwing-dodelijke-xtc-in-omloop . 29 August 2013.
  23. News: Man charged after ecstasy deaths. 15 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180513000438/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30671300. 13 May 2018. BBC News.
  24. Web site: Varning för livsfarlig ecstasy . 2 January 2015 . 4 January 2015 . Swedish . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150105014657/http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article20103807.ab . 5 January 2015.
  25. Web site: Dublin student dies after taking PMMA tablets in nightclub. 17 May 2015. irishexaminer.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150518114230/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/dublin-student-dies-after-taking-pmma-tablets-in-nightclub-677531.html. 18 May 2015.
  26. News: Conmoción por la muerte de cinco jóvenes en una fiesta electrónica. La Nación. Spanish. 17 April 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160419003155/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1890177-conmocion-por-la-muerte-de-cinco-jovenes-en-una-fiesta-electronica. 19 April 2016. Himitian. Evangelina.
  27. Web site: Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of para-Methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) in Schedule I . federalregister.gov . June 25, 2021.

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