Alternative names
mCPP
IUPAC Name
1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine
Current Scheduling Status
None
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Discussion
1-(3-Chlorophenyl)piperazine (mCPP) is a piperazine derivative with stimulant (including euphoric) and hallucinogenic properties. mCPP has never been licensed as a medicine but is a known metabolite of some antidepressants and is a tranquillizer. Its use was first reported in the mid-2000s across Europe but has since been reported in various other countries (e.g., the United States). mCPP is sometimes sold as "legal ecstasy" or as a "legal high" or as "ecstasy" itself. Such products can contain other piperazine derivatives as well as other psychoactive substances including MDMA. Very few user reports involving the use of mCPP alone have been documented. However, the toxic effects reported include: nausea, hallucinations, headache and most frequently, anxiety and panic attacks. There are no published reports of non-fatal or fatal hospital admissions. In Europe, a few cases reported to monitoring centres have mentioned hot flushes, some respiratory problems and coma, but all these cases also involved other unspecified substances. No specific studies have been performed to determine the abuse or dependence potential of mCPP but, in animal discrimination studies, it has been found to mimic TFMPP, ethanol and MDMA, but not lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Its abuse and dependence potential in humans is unclear.
Recommendation
The Expert Committee considered the information contained in the pre-review, and found that there is a paucity of data on 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine. Furthermore its abuse and dependence potential in humans remains unclear. On this basis, the Expert Committee concluded that a critical review is not warranted at this time.
1-(3-Chlorophenyl)piperazine (mCPP) is a piperazine derivative with stimulant (including euphoric) and hallucinogenic properties. mCPP has never been licensed as a medicine but is a known metabolite of some antidepressants and is a tranquillizer. Its use was first reported in the mid-2000s across Europe but has since been reported in various other countries (e.g., the United States). mCPP is sometimes sold as "legal ecstasy" or as a "legal high" or as "ecstasy" itself. Such products can contain other piperazine derivatives as well as other psychoactive substances including MDMA. Very few user reports involving the use of mCPP alone have been documented. However, the toxic effects reported include: nausea, hallucinations, headache and most frequently, anxiety and panic attacks. There are no published reports of non-fatal or fatal hospital admissions. In Europe, a few cases reported to monitoring centres have mentioned hot flushes, some respiratory problems and coma, but all these cases also involved other unspecified substances. No specific studies have been performed to determine the abuse or dependence potential of mCPP but, in animal discrimination studies, it has been found to mimic TFMPP, ethanol and MDMA, but not lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Its abuse and dependence potential in humans is unclear.
Recommendation
The Expert Committee considered the information contained in the pre-review, and found that there is a paucity of data on 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine. Furthermore its abuse and dependence potential in humans remains unclear. On this basis, the Expert Committee concluded that a critical review is not warranted at this time.
ECDD Recommendation
No change in scheduling
Link to full TRS
who_trs_973_eng.pdf1.73 MB
MS Questionnaire Report