Phenomenon of new drugs on the Internet: the case of ketamine derivative methoxetamine

Hum Psychopharmacol. 2012 Mar;27(2):145-9. doi: 10.1002/hup.1242.

Abstract

On the basis of the material available both in the scientific literature and on the web, this paper aims to provide a pharmacological, chemical and behavioural overview of the novel compound methoxetamine. This is a dissociative drug related to ketamine, with a much longer duration of action and intensity of effects. A critical discussion of the availability of information on the web of methoxetamine as a new recreational trend is here provided. Those methodological limitations, which are intrinsically associated with the analysis of online, non-peer reviewed, material, are here discussed as well. It is concluded that the online availability of information on novel psychoactive drugs, such as methoxethanine, may constitute a pressing public health challenge. Better international collaboration levels and novel forms of intervention are necessary to tackle this fast-growing phenomenon.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cyclohexanones / adverse effects
  • Cyclohexanones / pharmacokinetics
  • Cyclohexanones / pharmacology*
  • Cyclohexylamines / adverse effects
  • Cyclohexylamines / pharmacokinetics
  • Cyclohexylamines / pharmacology*
  • Designer Drugs / adverse effects
  • Designer Drugs / pharmacokinetics
  • Designer Drugs / pharmacology
  • Hallucinogens / adverse effects
  • Hallucinogens / pharmacokinetics
  • Hallucinogens / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs / adverse effects
  • Illicit Drugs / pharmacokinetics
  • Illicit Drugs / pharmacology*
  • International Cooperation
  • Internet*
  • Ketamine / pharmacokinetics
  • Ketamine / pharmacology
  • Public Health
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Cyclohexanones
  • Cyclohexylamines
  • Designer Drugs
  • Hallucinogens
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Ketamine
  • 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-(ethylamino)cyclohexanone