Dependence and psychosis with 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone) use.
'Legal highs' are recreational drugs sold over the internet and the so-called 'head shops' all over the UK. They are freely available to buy and use as they are not covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) was sold as a 'legal high' until 17 April 2010 when it was made a class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Numerous deaths and self-harm has been associated with mephedrone use. Effects of mephedrone are reported to be empathogenic similar to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) and stimulant properties similar to cocaine. Not much is known of the effects of mephedrone on mental health. We present a case of dependence and psychosis in a patient using mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone). The patient needed inpatient hospital care, was treated with antipsychotic olanzapine and recovered well.
Department of General Adult Psychiatry, Falkirk Royal Infirmary, UK. nbajaj@doctors.org.uk
N
N
Bajaj
D
D
Mullen
S
S
Wylie
D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis*
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008694:Methamphetamine; C548233:mephedrone