Methoxetamine-related deaths in the UK: an overview

Stephania Chiappini, Hugh Claridge, John Corkery, Christine Goodair, Barbara Loi, Fabrizio Schifano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)
409 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objective:
The goal of this study is to provide an update on the data given on methoxetamine (MXE)-related fatalities that occurred in 2011–2013, presented at the Second International Conference on Novel Psychoactive Substances.
Methods:
Fatalities involving MXE were extracted from the database of the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths, which receives information on drug-related deaths from Coroners in the UK and Islands (Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey) and other data suppliers.
Results:
Eight cases, received by 3 September 2013, in which MXE was found at post-mortem and/or directly implicated in the death and/or mentioned in the Coroner's verdict are described. The median age at death was 27 years, with the majority of White ethnicity (6/8) and male (7/8). MXE was used together with other substances in 7/8 cases. MXE was found at post-mortem in all cases, directly implicated in the deaths of four and likely to have had an influence in two.
Conclusions:
More research needs to be conducted into its health effects and toxicity potential. Health care professionals should be made aware of the potential health harms of MXE, in order to develop early intervention measures and minimise the number of MXE-related poisonings and fatalities.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)244-248
Number of pages5
JournalHuman Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental
Volume30
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jul 2015

Keywords

  • methoxetamine
  • MXE
  • novel psychoactive substances
  • NPS
  • legal high
  • designer drugs

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