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Interactions between mephedrone and alcohol in humans: Cardiovascular and subjective effects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

M. Farré ,
C. Perez-Maña ,
E. de Souza ,
J. Mateus ,
E. Theunisen ,
K. Kuypers ,
J. Ramaekers ,
F. Fonseca ,
M. Torrens  and
E. Olesti
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M. Farré*
Affiliation:
Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol-IGTP-IMIM-UAB, Clinical Phamacology, Badalona, Spain
C. Perez-Maña
Affiliation:
Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute-IMIM-UAB and UPF, Human Pharmacology, Badalona, Spain
E. de Souza
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht, Netherlands
J. Mateus
Affiliation:
Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute-IMIM-UAB and UPF, Human Pharmacology, Badalona, Spain
E. Theunisen
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht, Netherlands
K. Kuypers
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht, Netherlands
J. Ramaekers
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht, Netherlands
F. Fonseca
Affiliation:
Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Addiccions, Parc de Salut Mar-IMIM-UAB, Addiction Unit, Badalona, Spain
M. Torrens
Affiliation:
Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Addiccions, Parc de Salut Mar-IMIM-UAB, Addiction Unit, Badalona, Spain
E. Olesti
Affiliation:
Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute-IMIM-UAB and UPF, Human Pharmacology, Badalona, Spain
R. de la Torre
Affiliation:
Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute-IMIM-UAB and UPF, Human Pharmacology, Badalona, Spain
E. Papaseit
Affiliation:
Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute-IMIM-UAB and UPF, Human Pharmacology, Badalona, Spain
*
* Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Mephedrone is a synthetic cathinone derivative included in the class of “New-Novel Psychoactive Substances”. Synthetic cathinones are marketed as “bath salts” or “plant food” and gained notable popularity for similar effects to 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy), or amphetamines. Mephedrone is commonly consumed simultaneously with alcohol.

Objectives and aims

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the interactions between mephedrone and ethanol in humans.

Methods

Twelve healthy male, recreational users of psychostimulants participated as outpatients in four experimental sessions. They received a single oral dose of mephedrone (200 mg) and alcohol (0.8 g/kg), mephedrone placebo and alcohol (0.8 g/kg), mephedrone (200 mg) and placebo alcohol, and both placebos. Design was double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, cross-over and controlled with placebo. Study variables included: vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and pupil diameter), subjective effects (visual analogue scales-VAS, ARCI-49 item short form, and VESSPA questionnaire).

Results

The combination produced an increase in the cardiovascular effects of mephedrone and induced more intense feeling of euphoria and well-being in comparison to mephedrone and alcohol. Mephedrone reduced the drunkenness and sedation produced by alcohol.

Conclusions

These results are similar to those obtained with the combination of other psychostimulants as amphetamines and MDMA. Abuse liability of the combination is greater that induced by mephedrone.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Type
EW04
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 33 , Issue S1: Abstracts of the 24th European Congress of Psychiatry , March 2016 , pp. S115
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2016
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