Alternative names
PMMA
IUPAC Name
[1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-2-yl](methyl)azane]]
Current Scheduling Status
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Chemically, PMMA (para-methoxymethylamphetamine) is 1-(4-methoxyphenyl) -N-methylpropan-2-amine. PMMA has two enantiomers and is commonly available as the racemic mixture.
Previous review
PMMA has not been previously reviewed by the Committee. A critical review was proposed based on information brought to WHO’s attention that PMMA is clandestinely manufactured, poses a risk to public health and society, and has no recognized therapeutic use by any Party.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the central nervous system
PMMA is a substituted phenethylamine, being a methoxy-derivative of methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II substance under the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. PMMA is also related to para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA) which is a Schedule I substance under the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. PMA is a metabolite of PMMA. At high doses, PMMA can produce sympathomimetic stimulation; its central stimulation is weak, and is weaker than PMA, amphetamine, methamphetamine and MDMA. Overall, the actions of PMMA observed in animals and human users strongly suggest a dominant role for serotonergic activity.
Actual abuse and/or evidence of likelihood of abuse
PMMA has been shown to lack amphetamine-like or hallucinogen-like stimulus properties in animals in drug discrimination studies, but produces MDMA-like discriminative stimulus effects. Indeed, its use and abuse (first noted in the late 1980s) has been associated with the MDMA "ecstasy" culture for which it is often sold as an undisclosed substitute. Use and abuse of PMMA has subsequently been reported worldwide, but particularly in Europe as well as in Asia and Canada. Its use has been associated with deaths that have been increasing with time (1990s, 1 death; 2000s, 40 deaths; and 2010s, 90 deaths). At high doses of PMMA, some of the effects of MDMA such as stimulation and euphoria are produced. Owing to the slow onset of effects, the user expecting MDMA-like effects may assume that the dose is too low and re-dose, which has been a defining feature of deaths involving PMMA.
Therapeutic usefulness
PMMA has no reported use in medical practice. There are no marketing authorizations (existing, ongoing or suspended) for PMMA.
Recommendation
The Committee considered that the effects of PMMA are similar to PMA, a drug listed in Schedule I of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, and the degree of risk to public health and society associated with its abuse is especially serious. The Committee also noted it has no recorded therapeutic use. The Committee considered that the evidence of its abuse warranted its placement under international control and recommended that PMMA be placed in Schedule I of the 1971 Convention.
Chemically, PMMA (para-methoxymethylamphetamine) is 1-(4-methoxyphenyl) -N-methylpropan-2-amine. PMMA has two enantiomers and is commonly available as the racemic mixture.
Previous review
PMMA has not been previously reviewed by the Committee. A critical review was proposed based on information brought to WHO’s attention that PMMA is clandestinely manufactured, poses a risk to public health and society, and has no recognized therapeutic use by any Party.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the central nervous system
PMMA is a substituted phenethylamine, being a methoxy-derivative of methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II substance under the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. PMMA is also related to para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA) which is a Schedule I substance under the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. PMA is a metabolite of PMMA. At high doses, PMMA can produce sympathomimetic stimulation; its central stimulation is weak, and is weaker than PMA, amphetamine, methamphetamine and MDMA. Overall, the actions of PMMA observed in animals and human users strongly suggest a dominant role for serotonergic activity.
Actual abuse and/or evidence of likelihood of abuse
PMMA has been shown to lack amphetamine-like or hallucinogen-like stimulus properties in animals in drug discrimination studies, but produces MDMA-like discriminative stimulus effects. Indeed, its use and abuse (first noted in the late 1980s) has been associated with the MDMA "ecstasy" culture for which it is often sold as an undisclosed substitute. Use and abuse of PMMA has subsequently been reported worldwide, but particularly in Europe as well as in Asia and Canada. Its use has been associated with deaths that have been increasing with time (1990s, 1 death; 2000s, 40 deaths; and 2010s, 90 deaths). At high doses of PMMA, some of the effects of MDMA such as stimulation and euphoria are produced. Owing to the slow onset of effects, the user expecting MDMA-like effects may assume that the dose is too low and re-dose, which has been a defining feature of deaths involving PMMA.
Therapeutic usefulness
PMMA has no reported use in medical practice. There are no marketing authorizations (existing, ongoing or suspended) for PMMA.
Recommendation
The Committee considered that the effects of PMMA are similar to PMA, a drug listed in Schedule I of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, and the degree of risk to public health and society associated with its abuse is especially serious. The Committee also noted it has no recorded therapeutic use. The Committee considered that the evidence of its abuse warranted its placement under international control and recommended that PMMA be placed in Schedule I of the 1971 Convention.
ECDD Recommendation
Inclusion in Schedule I of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances
Link to full TRS
who_trs_998_eng.pdf330.66 KB
MS Questionnaire Report