Alternative names
BK-MDMA
IUPAC Name
1-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(methylamino)-1-propanone
Current Scheduling Status
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Methylone(beta-keto-MDMA) is chemically (R,S)-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)- 2-(methylamino)propan-1-one.
Previous review
Methylone had not been previously pre-reviewed or critically reviewed by the Committee. A direct critical review was proposed based on information brought to WHO’s attention that methylone is clandestinely manufactured, poses an especially serious risk to public health and society, and has no recognized therapeutic use by any party. Preliminary data collected from the literature and from different countries indicated that this substance may cause substantial harm and that it has no medical use.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the central nervous system
Methylone is the beta-keto analogue of MDMA. Key features related to the mechanisms of action are comparable with psychostimulants and medicinal products that target the monoaminergic system. Some of its pharmacological properties overlap with those reported for mephedrone. These include the ability to act as a non-selective substrate at transporters of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Although its catecholamine-related properties appear to be less pronounced than those observed with methamphetamine, the behavioural profile of methylone was observed to be similar to that of amphetamine-type psychostimulants. Methylone shows potential for abuse liability. Adverse effects reported in connection with methylone use pointed towards the observation of a psychostimulant-type toxidrome and include tachycardia, hypertension, paranoia, anxiety, bruxism and muscle tension and aching. Non-fatal and fatal intoxications involving methylone have been reported.
Dependence potential
No detailed clinical studies in humans are available.
Actual abuse and/or evidence of likelihood of abuse
Patterns of self-administration in animals and effects on brain reward function suggest that methylone shows potential for abuse liability. In a WHO survey, 23 Member States confirmed recreational/harmful use of methylone.
Therapeutic usefulness
Methylone has no recorded therapeutic applications or medical use.
Recommendation
The Committee considered that the degree of risk to public health and society associated with the abuse liability of methylone is substantial. Therapeutic usefulness has not been recorded. The Committee considered that the evidence of its abuse warranted its placement under international control. As per the Guidance on the WHO review of psychoactive substances for international control (4), higher regard was accorded to the substantial public health risk than to the lack of therapeutic usefulness.1 The Committee recommended that methylone be placed in Schedule II of the 1971 Convention.
Methylone(beta-keto-MDMA) is chemically (R,S)-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)- 2-(methylamino)propan-1-one.
Previous review
Methylone had not been previously pre-reviewed or critically reviewed by the Committee. A direct critical review was proposed based on information brought to WHO’s attention that methylone is clandestinely manufactured, poses an especially serious risk to public health and society, and has no recognized therapeutic use by any party. Preliminary data collected from the literature and from different countries indicated that this substance may cause substantial harm and that it has no medical use.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the central nervous system
Methylone is the beta-keto analogue of MDMA. Key features related to the mechanisms of action are comparable with psychostimulants and medicinal products that target the monoaminergic system. Some of its pharmacological properties overlap with those reported for mephedrone. These include the ability to act as a non-selective substrate at transporters of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Although its catecholamine-related properties appear to be less pronounced than those observed with methamphetamine, the behavioural profile of methylone was observed to be similar to that of amphetamine-type psychostimulants. Methylone shows potential for abuse liability. Adverse effects reported in connection with methylone use pointed towards the observation of a psychostimulant-type toxidrome and include tachycardia, hypertension, paranoia, anxiety, bruxism and muscle tension and aching. Non-fatal and fatal intoxications involving methylone have been reported.
Dependence potential
No detailed clinical studies in humans are available.
Actual abuse and/or evidence of likelihood of abuse
Patterns of self-administration in animals and effects on brain reward function suggest that methylone shows potential for abuse liability. In a WHO survey, 23 Member States confirmed recreational/harmful use of methylone.
Therapeutic usefulness
Methylone has no recorded therapeutic applications or medical use.
Recommendation
The Committee considered that the degree of risk to public health and society associated with the abuse liability of methylone is substantial. Therapeutic usefulness has not been recorded. The Committee considered that the evidence of its abuse warranted its placement under international control. As per the Guidance on the WHO review of psychoactive substances for international control (4), higher regard was accorded to the substantial public health risk than to the lack of therapeutic usefulness.1 The Committee recommended that methylone be placed in Schedule II of the 1971 Convention.
ECDD Recommendation
Inclusion in Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances
Link to full TRS
who_trs_991_eng.pdf1.3 MB
MS Questionnaire Report