Synonym: Cat
Cathinone is a phenylalkylamine alkaloid. Methcathinone is phenylisopropylamine and is produced in clandestine laboratories by oxidizing ephedrine from over-the-counter medications.
Routes of use:
(1) ingest
(2) smoke
(3) inject
(4) intranasal insufflation (snorting)
Clinical features of intoxication:
(1) CNS stimulation
(2) visual and auditory hallucinations
(3) tachycardia and hypertension followed by bradycardia and hypotension
(4) hyperthermia
(5) euphoria
(6) increased sexuality
(7) garrulousness
(8) anxiety
(9) disorientation
(10) psychomotor activity
(11) impulsivity
(12) mydriasis
(13) loss of accomodation
(14) flushing
(15) sweaty palms
Complications of abuse include:
(1) severe hypertension
(2) severe hyperthermia
(3) stroke
(4) myocardial infarction
(5) pulmonary edema
(6) seizures
Chronic use can result in:
(1) addiction
(2) psychosis
(3) paranoia
(4) aggressive and antisocial behavior
(5) decline in personal appearance
(6) Parkinsonism
(7) anorexia with muscle wasting
(8) suicide
(9) lesions associated with the route of abuse (intranasal lesions, injection site reactions)
Discontinuation after chronic abuse can result in a withdrawal reaction (described above).
Poorly synthesized or purified drug may be contaminated by a variety of compounds (toluene, ephedrine, sodium dichromate, potassium permanganate, sulfuric acid) that can contribute to adverse reactions.
