Citation

Hofer KE, Grager B, Müller DM, Rauber-Lüthy C, Kupferschmidt H, Rentsch KM, Ceschi A. Ann. Emerg. Med. 2012; 60(1): 97-99.

Affiliation

Swiss Toxicological Information Centre, Associated Institute of the University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, American College of Emergency Physicians, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.annemergmed.2011.11.018

PMID

22237166

Abstract

Methoxetamine, the N-ethyl derivative of ketamine, is a novel recreational drug that is not at present subject to restrictive regulations in most countries. To our knowledge, no case of methoxetamine abuse has been published to date in the scientific literature, and the only sources of information are illegal drug users' Web discussion forums. We report the first case of analytically confirmed intravenous methoxetamine abuse in a 19-year-old man. Observed signs and symptoms such as tachycardia, hypertension, confusion, agitation, stupor, ataxia, mydriasis, and nystagmus were consistent with ketamine-induced adverse effects and resolved with symptomatic treatment. According to this case report, user Web reports, and the chemical structure, methoxetamine produces ketamine-like effects. Complete recovery can be expected with supportive care.

Language: en