Current Scheduling Status
Schedule I and Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
MPPP (CAS 13147- 09-06); chemical name: (1) CAS: 1-methyl-4-phenyl-4-piperidinol propanoate (ester); (2) IUFA: 1-methyl-4-phenyl-4-propionoxypiperidine. The drug i is also known as 3-demethylprodine or desmethylprodine. No isomers are possible.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
MPPP has been classified pharmacologically as an agonist of mu-type opioid receptors with a profile similar to that of pethidine. It possesses an analgesic activity and produces morphine-like euphoric effects. Its analgesic potency is 1½ times that of morphine. Like other mu-opioids, MPPP depresses respiration and its effects on the central nervous system can-be reversed by narcotic antagonists such as naloxone. One of the impurities in the synthesis of MPPP is MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyltetrahydropyridine), a neurotoxin that destroys the dopaminergic neurones in the substantia nigra of the brain and leads to a permanent Parkinsonian syndrome. A large number of individuals abusing MPPP have developed Parkinsonian symptoms. This
represents a severe public health problem.
Dependence potential
MPPP substitutes for morphine in the morphine-dependent monkey. The substance is recognized as an opiate in heroin abusers and may produce physical dependence in man.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
More than 100 cases of actual abuse of MPPP by the heroin-abusing population have been reported from the USA. Many deaths have been associated with the substance. Several outbreaks of MPTPinduced Parkinsonism have been related to MPPP abuse. Canada and France have also reported cases of MPPP abuse. MPPP is controlled as a narcotic substance in France and the USA.
Therapeutic usefulness
At present, MPPP has no known therapeutic use.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was sufficient evidence to indicate that MPPP is liable to similar abuse as, and produces ill-effects similar to those seen with, drugs in Schedule I of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 and that Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol. The Committee rated the abuse liability of the substance as high. The degree of seriousness of the public health and social problems associated with the substance was also found to be high and there is no known therapeutic use. Therefore, the Committee recommended that MPPP be controlled in Schedules I and IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 and that Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol.
MPPP (CAS 13147- 09-06); chemical name: (1) CAS: 1-methyl-4-phenyl-4-piperidinol propanoate (ester); (2) IUFA: 1-methyl-4-phenyl-4-propionoxypiperidine. The drug i is also known as 3-demethylprodine or desmethylprodine. No isomers are possible.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
MPPP has been classified pharmacologically as an agonist of mu-type opioid receptors with a profile similar to that of pethidine. It possesses an analgesic activity and produces morphine-like euphoric effects. Its analgesic potency is 1½ times that of morphine. Like other mu-opioids, MPPP depresses respiration and its effects on the central nervous system can-be reversed by narcotic antagonists such as naloxone. One of the impurities in the synthesis of MPPP is MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyltetrahydropyridine), a neurotoxin that destroys the dopaminergic neurones in the substantia nigra of the brain and leads to a permanent Parkinsonian syndrome. A large number of individuals abusing MPPP have developed Parkinsonian symptoms. This
represents a severe public health problem.
Dependence potential
MPPP substitutes for morphine in the morphine-dependent monkey. The substance is recognized as an opiate in heroin abusers and may produce physical dependence in man.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
More than 100 cases of actual abuse of MPPP by the heroin-abusing population have been reported from the USA. Many deaths have been associated with the substance. Several outbreaks of MPTPinduced Parkinsonism have been related to MPPP abuse. Canada and France have also reported cases of MPPP abuse. MPPP is controlled as a narcotic substance in France and the USA.
Therapeutic usefulness
At present, MPPP has no known therapeutic use.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was sufficient evidence to indicate that MPPP is liable to similar abuse as, and produces ill-effects similar to those seen with, drugs in Schedule I of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 and that Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol. The Committee rated the abuse liability of the substance as high. The degree of seriousness of the public health and social problems associated with the substance was also found to be high and there is no known therapeutic use. Therefore, the Committee recommended that MPPP be controlled in Schedules I and IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 and that Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol.
ECDD Recommendation
Inclusion in Schedule I and Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs
Link to full TRS
who_trs_761.pdf1.41 MB