Citation

Gunderson EW, Kirkpatrick MG, Willing LM, Holstege CP. J. Addict. Med. 2013; 7(3): 153-162.

Affiliation

From the University of Virginia School of Medicine (EWG and CPH), Charlottesville VA; Center for Wellness and Change (EWG), Charlottesville, VA; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (EWG), New York, NY; University of Chicago (MGK), Chicago, IL; and University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill (LMW).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/ADM.0b013e31829084b7

PMID

23732954

Abstract

There is a growing concern about the availability of a new generation of "designer drug" stimulants that are marketed as "bath salts" and other household products. The products are not true bath salts and contain substituted cathinone stimulant substances, such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and mephedrone. Calls to the American Association of Poison Control Centers regarding "bath salts" consumption began in 2010 and have continued since that time. Few reports of systematic epidemiologic surveillance or definitive clinical effects of toxicity specifically associated with "bath salts" consumption have been reported in the medical literature. The current narrative review describes the growing trend of designer substituted cathinone use, pharmacology, clinical effects, and recent regulatory changes. It is hoped that a greater understanding of the clinical effects and use patterns will help inform policy and practice.

Language: en