GHB and synthetic cathinones: clinical effects and potential consequences

• Published in: Drug testing and analysis 2011-09, Vol.3 (9), p.552-559
• Main Authors: Karila, Laurent, Reynaud, Michel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkaloids - adverse effects; Alkaloids - chemistry; Alkaloids - pharmacology; Animals; club drugs; designer drugs; Designer Drugs - adverse effects; Designer Drugs - chemistry; Designer Drugs - pharmacology; flephedrone; GHB; Humans; Indans - adverse effects; Indans - chemistry; Indans - pharmacology; MDAI; MDVP; mephedrone; Methamphetamine - adverse effects; Methamphetamine - analogs & derivatives; Methamphetamine - chemistry; Methamphetamine - pharmacology; methylone; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine - adverse effects; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine - chemistry; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine - pharmacology; party drugs; Sodium Oxybate - adverse effects; Sodium Oxybate - chemistry; Sodium Oxybate - pharmacology; Street Drugs - adverse effects; Street Drugs - chemistry; Street Drugs - pharmacology; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; synthetic cathinones
• ISSN: 1942-7603; 1942-7611
• DOI: 10.1002/dta.210

Designer drugs belong to a group of legally or illegally produced substances that are structurally and pharmacologically very similar to illicit drugs. In the past, designer drugs were often used during all‐night dance parties, but they are now consumed in multiple settings from college bars to parks to private house parties. Most of these club drugs can be bought on legal websites and home‐delivered for private parties. Recently, legal highs have once again become a burning media issue across the world. Our review will focus on GHB and synthetic cathinones. Literature searches were conducted for the period from 1975 to July 2010 using PubMed, EMBASE, PsycInfo, Internet underground and governmental websites using the following keywords alone or in combination: designer drugs, club drugs, party drugs, GHB, synthetic cathinones, mephedrone, methylone, flephedrone, MDAI, and MDVP. Available epidemiological, neurobiological, and clinical data for each compound are described. There is evidence that negative health and social consequences may occur in recreational and chronic users. The addictive potential of designer drugs is not weak. Non‐fatal overdoses and deaths related to GHB/GBL or synthetic cathinones have been reported. Clinicians must be careful with GBL or synthetic cathinones, which are being sold and used as substitutes for GHB and MDMA, respectively. Interventions for drug prevention and harm reduction in response to the use of these drugs should be implemented on the Internet and in recreational settings. Prevention, Information, Action, and Treatment are the main goals that must be addressed for this new potentially addictive problem. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Designer drugs belong to a group of legally or illegally produced substances that are structurally and pharmacologically very similar to illicit drugs. Most of them can be bought on legal websites and home‐delivered for private parties. Recently, legal highs have once again become a burning media issue across the world. There is evidence that negative health and social consequences may occur in users. Prevention, Information, Action and Treatment are the main goals that must be addressed for this new potentially addictive problem.