Methoxetamine, or 3-MeO-2-Oxo-PCE is a dissociative drug that has been sold as
a designer drug. Methoxetamine differs from many dissociatives such as ketamine
and phencyclidine that were developed as pharmaceuticals in that it was designed
for grey market distribution. Pharmacologically, methoxetamine acts as
an NMDA receptor antagonist and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Physical properties Pure methoxetamine hydrochloride is a
white powder. It has low solubility in isopropanol. It is soluble in ethanol up
to 10 mg/ml at 25 °C. Emergence
The qualitative effects of methoxetamine were first described online in May 2010
and the compound became commercially available on a small scale in September
2010, by November use and sale of the methoxetamine had increased enough for
it to be formally identified by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and
Drug Addiction. By July 2011, the EMCDDA had identified 58 websites selling the
compound at a cost of 145–195 euros for 10 grams. MXE remains popular despite
bans in many countries. Effects
Methoxetamine is reported to have a similar effect to ketamine, with
increased potency and duration. Methoxetamine was often believed to
possess opioid properties due to its structural similarity to 3-OH-PCP, but
this assumption is not supported by data, which shows insignificant affinity
for the µ-opioid receptor. Recreational use of Methoxetamine has been associated
with hospitalizations in the US and UK. Acute reversible cerebellar toxicity has
been documented in three cases of hospital admission due to methoxetamine
overdose, lasting for between one and four days after exposure.
Methoxetamine was designed in part to prevent the urotoxicity associated with
ketamine abuse; it was thought the compound's increased potency and reduced
dose would limit the accumulation of urotoxic metabolites in the bladder.
Like ketamine, methoxetamine has been found to produce bladder inflammation
and fibrosis after high dose, chronic administration in mice. Reports of
urotoxicity in humans have yet to appear in the medical literature.
It is thought that methoxetamine may be an effective, fast-acting antidepressant
like other NMDA antagonists. Its activity at other receptors may
contribute to this. Legal status
= Brazil= MXE became classified as a narcotic in
Brazil in February 2014 . = China=
As of October 2015 MXE is a controlled substance in China.
= European Union= On June 16, 2014, the European
Commission proposed that MXE be banned across the European Union, subjecting
those in violation to criminal sanctions. This is following the
procedure for risk-assessment and control of new psychoactive substances
set up by the Council: Decision 2005JHA. Poland
Methoxetamine is a controlled substance making it illegal to produce, sell or
possess in The Republic of Poland as of 1 July 2015.
= Sweden= MXE became classified as a narcotic in
Sweden in late February 2012. = Japan=
MXE became a controlled substance in Japan from July 1, 2012, by amendment to
the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law. = Russia=
MXE has been a controlled substance in Russia since October 2011.
= Switzerland= MXE has been illegal in Switzerland
since December 2011. = Israel=
MXE became classified as an illegal narcotic in Israel on May 2012 .
= United Kingdom= Prior to March 2012, MXE was not
controlled by the UK's Misuse of Drugs Act. In March 2012, the Home Office
referred MXE to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for possible
temporary controlling under the powers given in the Police Reform and Social
Responsibility Act 2011. The ACMD gave their advice on March 23, with the chair
commenting that "the evidence shows that the use of methoxetamine can cause harm
to users and the ACMD advises that it should be subject to a temporary class
drug order." In April 2012, methoxetamine was placed under temporary
class drug control, which prohibits its import and sale for 12 months.
Theresa May commented in her reply to the ACMD that "the next step in this
process is for the ACMD to undertake a full assessment of methoxetamine for
consideration for its permanent control under the 1971 Act." She goes on to say
that she hopes the ACMD will do this as a part of the review of ketamine,
"including its analogues" and that this review will be completed "within the 12
months from the making of the current order".
On October 18th 2012 the ACMD released a report about MXE, saying that the "harms
of methoxetamine are commensurate with Class B of the Misuse of Drugs Act",
despite the fact that the act does not classify drugs based on harm. The report
went on to suggest that all analogues of MXE should also become class B drugs and
suggested a catch-all clause covering both existing and unresearched
arylcyclohexamines. MXE ceased to be covered by the
temporary prohibition on 26 February 2013, when it became classified as a
Class B drug. = United States=
MXE is not scheduled at the federal level in the United States, but it is
possible that it could be considered an analog of PCE, in which case purchase,
sales, or possession could be prosecuted under the Federal Analog Act. In
September of 2015 a bill was introduced into Congress that would make MXE a
Schedule I substance if it passes. Alabama
Methoxetamine is a Schedule I controlled substance in the state of Alabama making
it illegal to buy, sell, or possess in Alabama.
Florida Methoxetamine is a Schedule I controlled
substance in the state of Florida making it illegal to buy, sell, or possess in
Florida. Media coverage
Mixmag reported in January 2012, that people in the dance music and clubbing
community have given methoxetamine the slang name 'roflcoptr'. Vice commented
that it was likely that the phrase will only be used by "the same politicians,
parents and journalists" who called mephedrone 'meow meow'. After being
called mexxy in UK Home Office press releases, the media adopted the name.
A literature review was published in March 2012 which looked at scientific
literature and information on the web. It concluded that "the online
availability of information on novel psychoactive drugs, such as
methoxetamine, may constitute a pressing public health challenge. Better
international collaboration levels and novel forms of intervention are
necessary to tackle this fast-growing phenomenon."
Detection A forensic standard of Methoxetamine is
available, and the compound has been posted on the Forendex website of
potential drugs of abuse. See also
Dissociative Phencyclidine
3-HO-PCP 3-MeO-PCE
3-MeO-PCP 4-MeO-PCP
Methoxyketamine Ketamine
References External links
Erowid.org – Methoxetamine Information