4-Methylethcathinone Explained

4-Methylethcathinone or 4-MEC is a chemical that bears a chemical resemblance to mephedrone.^[1] Due to its similarity to mephedrone, it is thought to be a stimulant and entactogen drug of the phenethylamine, amphetamine, and cathinone chemical classes.^[2] It has been marketed alone or in mixtures with other substituted cathinones under the name "NRG-2", although other blends such as "NRG-1" may have been more ambiguous with their ingredients.^[3]

4-MEC is reported to have been used as the active ingredient in fake "Ecstasy" pills in some countries such as New Zealand.^[4]

Recreational use

Some users have injected the drug intravenously. It requires heating the water/4-MEC solution in order for 4-MEC to dissolve. Injecting 4-MEC appears to be rough on veins and is sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation. Therefore, 4-MEC should be diluted as much as possible. Intravenous dosages are comparable to oral ones, although more care should be given to safety (with regard to possibility of overdose and long-term effects).^{[5] [6]}

Legality

In the United States 4-MEC is a schedule 1 controlled substance.^[7]

See also

• 4-Ethylmethcathinone
• 4-Methylbuphedrone
• 4-Methylcathinone
• 4-Methylpentedrone
• Substituted cathinone
• Benzedrone
• Mephedrone

Notes and References

1. Ondra P, Válka I, Knob R, Ginterová P, Maier V . Analysis of Amphetamine-Derived Designer Drugs by Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry . Journal of Analytical Toxicology . 40 . 1 . 78–85 . October 2015 . 26446487 . 10.1093/jat/bkv113 . free .
2. Helfer AG, Turcant A, Boels D, Ferec S, Lelièvre B, Welter J, Meyer MR, Maurer HH . 6 . Elucidation of the metabolites of the novel psychoactive substance 4-methyl-N-ethyl-cathinone (4-MEC) in human urine and pooled liver microsomes by GC-MS and LC-HR-MS/MS techniques and of its detectability by GC-MS or LC-MS(n) standard screening approaches . Drug Testing and Analysis . 7 . 5 . 368–75 . May 2015 . 24953431 . 10.1002/dta.1682 .
3. Brandt SD, Sumnall HR, Measham F, Cole J . Second generation mephedrone. The confusing case of NRG-1 . BMJ . 341 . c3564 . July 2010 . 20605894 . 10.1136/bmj.c3564 . 20354123 .
4. Web site: Man in court after bust turns up drugs, cash. May 24, 2012. www.nzherald.co.nz.
5. Brandt SD, Sumnall HR, Measham F, Cole J . Analyses of second-generation 'legal highs' in the UK: initial findings . Drug Testing and Analysis . 2 . 8 . 377–82 . August 2010 . 20687197 . 10.1002/dta.155 . 10.1.1.667.4728 .
6. Jankovics P, Váradi A, Tölgyesi L, Lohner S, Németh-Palotás J, Koszegi-Szalai H . Identification and characterization of the new designer drug 4'-methylethcathinone (4-MEC) and elaboration of a novel liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) screening method for seven different methcathinone analogs . Forensic Science International . 210 . 1–3 . 213–20 . July 2011 . 21498012 . 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.03.019 .
7. Web site: Lists of Scheduling Actions, Controlled Substances, Regulated Chemicals. deadiversion.usdoj.gov. 26 March 2023. February 2023.