Current Scheduling Status
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
ECDD Technical summary
Cathinone, chemically (S)-2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone, is the major psychoactive component of the khat plant (Catha edulis). The racemate and the (+)-isomer have also been prepared and submitted to limited pharmacological study. Cathinone stimulates the central nervous system and shares most of the pharmacological properties of amphetamine; however, it is about half as potent as amphetamine. In addition, there is cross tolerance to amphetamine as an anorectic. The toxicology of cathinone is also similar to that of amphetamine. Cathinone is well absorbed after oral administration and is rapidly metabolized. The main excretion product is (—)-norephedrine. The dependence potential of cathinone has been studied
extensively in animals. The drug is discriminated as amphetamine like and is readily self-administered by rhesus monkeys under ‘experimental conditions. The racemate shares these properties. Knowledge of the human pharmacology of cathinone is based on experience with khat, the abuse of which has been reported to cause a major public health problem in certain areas of the world where it is available. There is no known medical use of cathinone and there is no evidence of illicit trafficking in the substance. On the basis of the data outlined above, it was the consensus of the Expert Committee that cathinone met the criteria in article 2, paragraph 4, for control under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Since cathinone has no medical use it was recommended that it be placed in Schedule I of the Convention.
Cathinone, chemically (S)-2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone, is the major psychoactive component of the khat plant (Catha edulis). The racemate and the (+)-isomer have also been prepared and submitted to limited pharmacological study. Cathinone stimulates the central nervous system and shares most of the pharmacological properties of amphetamine; however, it is about half as potent as amphetamine. In addition, there is cross tolerance to amphetamine as an anorectic. The toxicology of cathinone is also similar to that of amphetamine. Cathinone is well absorbed after oral administration and is rapidly metabolized. The main excretion product is (—)-norephedrine. The dependence potential of cathinone has been studied
extensively in animals. The drug is discriminated as amphetamine like and is readily self-administered by rhesus monkeys under ‘experimental conditions. The racemate shares these properties. Knowledge of the human pharmacology of cathinone is based on experience with khat, the abuse of which has been reported to cause a major public health problem in certain areas of the world where it is available. There is no known medical use of cathinone and there is no evidence of illicit trafficking in the substance. On the basis of the data outlined above, it was the consensus of the Expert Committee that cathinone met the criteria in article 2, paragraph 4, for control under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Since cathinone has no medical use it was recommended that it be placed in Schedule I of the Convention.
ECDD Recommendation
Inclusion in Schedule I of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances
Link to full TRS
who_trs_729.pdf1.29 MB