title: Analysis of 4-methylthioamphetamine in clinical specimens.
abstract: There has been much publicity, particularly in Europe, regarding a new phenylethylamine-based compound called 4-methylthioamphetamine (4-MTA), also known as para-methylthioamphetamine (p-MTA), MTA or 'Flatliner'. Chemically, 4-MTA is an amphetamine derivative and is a potent, non-neurotoxic serotonin-releasing agent and reversible inhibitor of rat monoamine oxidase-A. Its effects, therefore, appear different from those of amphetamine. Analysis of various plasma and urine specimens in three clinical cases implicating 'Ecstasy' ingestion revealed the presence of 4-MTA. Presumed metabolites were also detected, with one compound identified as being 4-MTA sulphoxide. The concentrations of 4-MTA measured in the plasma ranged from 0.131 mg/L to 0.760 mg/L. In one patient the 4-MTA concentration was determined in a series of plasma samples and this allowed a presumptive half-life of approximately 7 h to be estimated. This paper describes the first reported data regarding possible pharmacokinetics of 4-MTA in humans and presents the first reported non-fatal instances of 4-MTA intoxication in the UK.
authors.affiliation: Regional Laboratory for Toxicology, City Hospital NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK. simontox@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D000662:Amphetamines / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000652:urine; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine; D051381:Rats; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / Q000379:methods; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D006213:Hallucinogens; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; C078956:4-methylthioamphetamine; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine