Methoxetamine‐related deaths in the UK: an overview. (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chiappini, Stefania; Claridge, Hugh; Corkery, John M.; Goodair, Christine; Loi, Barbara; Schifano, Fabrizio
• Is Part Of: Human psychopharmacology. Volume 30:Number 4(2015)
• Page Start: 244
• Page End: 248
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotropic drugs -- Periodicals; Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotropic Drugs -- pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.78
• DOI: 10.1002/hup.2422
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-6222

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="hup2422-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2422-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2422-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2422-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>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. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>