Synonyms: cafta, miraa, muiragi, chat
Plant: Catha edulis
Usual geographic distribution: East and North Africa, Arabia
Active ingredients: cathinone (alpha-aminoproprionphenone = norpseudoephedrine), a phenylalkylamine alkaloid. The drug methcathinone (ephedrine) is the N-methyl derivative of cathinone and beta-keto analogue of methamphetamine.
Methods of use:
(1) chewing leaves and twigs. Fresh leaves are more potent than dried leaves.
(2) tea
(3) smoking
Clinical findings:
(1) elevated blood pressure
(2) mydriasis
(3) hyperthermia
(4) anorexia
(5) insomnia
(6) increased arousal
(7) elevated mood
(8) anxiety
(9) agitation
Acute poisoning can result in:
(1) stroke
(2) myocardial infarction
(3) pulmonary edema
(4) severe hyperthermia
(5) severe hypertension
Chronic use can result in:
(1) psychological dependence
(2) aggressive behavior
(3) paranoia
(4) psychosis.
Methcanthinone is a related synthetic drug of abuse (see Chapter 32).
