para-Methoxy-N-methylamphetamine

para-Methoxy-N-methylamphetamine
Systematic (IUPAC) name
1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-N-methyl-propan-2-amine
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
CAS Number 3398-68-3 YesY
PubChem CID 90766
ChemSpider 81951
UNII 037U5SR9KL YesY
Chemical data
Formula C11H17NO
Molar mass 179.259 g/mol
  (verify)

para-Methoxy-N-methylamphetamine (also known as PMMA, Red Mitsubishi), chemically known as methyl-MA, 4-methoxy-N-methylamphetamine, or 4-MMA) 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 becomes 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

Tablets of PMMA recovered by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

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 pill testing kits.

Deaths

In January 2011, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Norway had seen 12 deaths related to PMMA over the course of 6 months. In March 2011, Dutch media reported that there had been 4 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, 4 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.[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 December 2012 and January 2013, several deaths linked to PMMA in the UK.[19]

In June 2013 a PMMA-related death occurred in the Dutch city of 's-Hertogenbosch.[20] Two months later, In August 2013, another possibly PMMA-related death occurred in the nearby town of Sliedrecht.[21][22][23]

In January 2015 in the UK four people died, suspected of taking ecstasy containing PMMA.[24] In the same month, in Sweden, another man died from ecstasy laced with PMMA.[25]

In May 2015 a young woman died in Dublin, Ireland, after taking what is suspected to be PMMA.[26]

In April 2016 four young Argentinians 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. [27]

Legal status

United States

PMMA is not scheduled at the federal level in the United States,[28] but could be considered an analog (of PMA), in which case, sales or possession intended for human consumption could be prosecuted under the Federal Analog Act.

Florida

PMMA is a Schedule I controlled substance in the state of Florida, listed as "4-methoxymethamphetamine", making it illegal to buy, sell, or possess in Florida.[29]

United Kingdom

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

See also

References

  1. ↑ Becker, J; Neis, P; Röhrich, J; Zörntlein, S (2003). "A fatal paramethoxymethamphetamine intoxication". Legal medicine (Tokyo, Japan). 5. Suppl 1: S138–41. PMID 12935573.
  2. ↑ "Five B.C. deaths linked to lethal chemical PMMA". Vancouver Sun. 13 January 2012.
  3. ↑ Glennon, RA; Young, R; Dukat, M; Cheng, Y (1997). "Initial characterization of PMMA as a discriminative stimulus". Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior 57 (1–2): 151–8. doi:10.1016/S0091-3057(96)00306-1. PMID 9164566.
  4. ↑ Rangisetty, JB; Bondarev, ML; Chang-Fong, J; Young, R; Glennon, RA (2001). "PMMA-stimulus generalization to the optical isomers of MBDB and 3,4-DMA". Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior 69 (1–2): 261–7. doi:10.1016/S0091-3057(01)00530-5. PMID 11420094.
  5. ↑ Johansen, SS; Hansen, AC; Müller, IB; Lundemose, JB; Franzmann, MB (2003). "Three fatal cases of PMA and PMMA poisoning in Denmark". Journal of analytical toxicology 27 (4): 253–6. doi:10.1093/jat/27.4.253. PMID 12820749.
  6. ↑ Refstad S (2003). "Paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) poisoning; a 'party drug' with lethal effects". Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 47 (10): 1298–9. doi:10.1046/j.1399-6576.2003.00245.x. PMID 14616331.
  7. ↑ Lamberth PG, Ding GK, Nurmi LA (2008). "Fatal paramethoxy-amphetamine (PMA) poisoning in the Australian Capital Territory". Med. J. Aust. 188 (7): 426. PMID 18393753.
  8. ↑ Green, AL; El Hait, MA (1980). "P-Methoxyamphetamine, a potent reversible inhibitor of type-A monoamine oxidase in vitro and in vivo". J Pharm Pharmacol 32 (4): 262–266. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.1980.tb12909.x. PMID 6103055.
  9. ↑ "PMMA deaths in Holland". www.nu.nl. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  10. ↑ "Warning over ecstasy pills that raise overdose risk". BBC News. 16 December 2011.
  11. ↑ "Rare chemical found in fatal ecstasy". The Province. 15 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  12. ↑ "Overdose death investigated". Nanton News. 24 January 2012.
  13. ↑ "Seized substances sent for testing after suspected overdose". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  14. ↑ "Tainted ecstasy linked to five Calgary deaths could be from B.C.". Vancouver Sun. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  15. ↑ "Authorities renew warning about street drugs". The City of Calgary Newsroom. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  16. ↑ "Ecstasy laced with meth in overdose cases". Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  17. ↑ "Dangerous drug linked to Kinsale deaths". Irish Independent. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  18. ↑ "Queensland Police investigate three deaths linked to 'poison pill' ecstasy overdoses". news.com.au. 9 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  19. ↑ "Five young people die after taking super-strength 'Dr Death ecstasy'". Daily Mail UK. 23 January 2013.
  20. ↑ "Den Bosch issues a warning for dangerous XTC-pills". www.nu.nl. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  21. ↑ "Tiener overleden aan drugs". Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  22. ↑ "Naomi (16): dood door roze xtc-pil". Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  23. ↑ "Waarschuwing: dodelijke ‘XTC’ in omloop". Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  24. ↑ http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30671300
  25. ↑ "Varning för livsfarlig ecstasy" (in Swedish). Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  26. ↑ http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/dublin-student-dies-after-taking-pmma-tablets-in-nightclub-677531.html
  27. ↑ http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1890177-conmocion-por-la-muerte-de-cinco-jovenes-en-una-fiesta-electronica
  28. ↑ 21 CFR — SCHEDULES OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES §1308.11 Schedule I.
  29. ↑ Florida Statutes - Chapter 893 - DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONTROL

External links


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