Current Scheduling Status
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Methcathinone (CAS 5650-44-2), chemically 2- (methylamino)- 1-phenylpropan-l-one, is also known as ephedrone and methylcathinone. It has one chiral centre, so two stereoisomeric forms and one racemate are possible.
WHO review history
In 1992, the 28th meeting (6) of the Committee, after a review of preliminary data, did not recommend methcathinone for critical review. In 1994, however, the Secretary-General of the United Nations forwarded to the Director-General of WHO the notification of the Government of the United States proposing that methcathinone be placed under international control.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Methcathinone is the N-methyl derivative of cathinone, and is closely related to metamfetamine. Animal studies have shown that methcathinone produces central nervous system stimulant effects similar to those produced by amfetamine, metamfetamine, cathinone and cocaine. Of the two stereoisomers, the laevorotatory form is more biologically active.
Dependence potential
Drug discrimination and self-administration studies in animals indicate that methcathinone has a dependence potential similar to central nervous system stimulants like amfetamine and cocaine. Case reports and a study conducted in the United States on methcathinone abusers also suggest that methcathinone has a high dependence potential similar to that of metamfetamine.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
Significant abuse of methcathinone has been reported in Estonia, Latvia, the Russian Federation and some other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States as well as in the United States. Methcathinone is readily manufactured from ephedrine by oxidation and is assessed to have a high abuse liability.
Therapeutic usefulness
Methcathinone has not been marketed for therapeutic purposes. Its therapeutic usefulness is assessed to be very limited, if any.
Recommendation
Studies from the Russian Federation and the United States have confirmed that methcathinone abuse results in adverse health effects similar to those associated with the abuse of metamfetamine, including fatal cases of acute intoxication. Illicit activities involving methcathinone, including clandestine manufacturing, are also reported widely. On the basis of the available data concerning its pharmacological and toxicological profile, dependence potential and likelihood of abuse, and particularly in view of the above characteristics, the public health and social problems associated with the abuse of methcathinone are assessed to be especially serious. On the basis of this and the assessment of its therapeutic usefulness, it is recommended that methcathinone be placed in Schedule I of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971.
Methcathinone (CAS 5650-44-2), chemically 2- (methylamino)- 1-phenylpropan-l-one, is also known as ephedrone and methylcathinone. It has one chiral centre, so two stereoisomeric forms and one racemate are possible.
WHO review history
In 1992, the 28th meeting (6) of the Committee, after a review of preliminary data, did not recommend methcathinone for critical review. In 1994, however, the Secretary-General of the United Nations forwarded to the Director-General of WHO the notification of the Government of the United States proposing that methcathinone be placed under international control.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Methcathinone is the N-methyl derivative of cathinone, and is closely related to metamfetamine. Animal studies have shown that methcathinone produces central nervous system stimulant effects similar to those produced by amfetamine, metamfetamine, cathinone and cocaine. Of the two stereoisomers, the laevorotatory form is more biologically active.
Dependence potential
Drug discrimination and self-administration studies in animals indicate that methcathinone has a dependence potential similar to central nervous system stimulants like amfetamine and cocaine. Case reports and a study conducted in the United States on methcathinone abusers also suggest that methcathinone has a high dependence potential similar to that of metamfetamine.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
Significant abuse of methcathinone has been reported in Estonia, Latvia, the Russian Federation and some other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States as well as in the United States. Methcathinone is readily manufactured from ephedrine by oxidation and is assessed to have a high abuse liability.
Therapeutic usefulness
Methcathinone has not been marketed for therapeutic purposes. Its therapeutic usefulness is assessed to be very limited, if any.
Recommendation
Studies from the Russian Federation and the United States have confirmed that methcathinone abuse results in adverse health effects similar to those associated with the abuse of metamfetamine, including fatal cases of acute intoxication. Illicit activities involving methcathinone, including clandestine manufacturing, are also reported widely. On the basis of the available data concerning its pharmacological and toxicological profile, dependence potential and likelihood of abuse, and particularly in view of the above characteristics, the public health and social problems associated with the abuse of methcathinone are assessed to be especially serious. On the basis of this and the assessment of its therapeutic usefulness, it is recommended that methcathinone be placed in Schedule I of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971.
ECDD Recommendation
Inclusion in Schedule I of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances
Link to full TRS
who_trs_856.pdf1.07 MB