3-MeO-PCP binds to the NMDA receptor with higher affinity than PCP and has the highest affinity of the three isomeric anisyl-substitutions of PCP, followed by
2-MeO-PCP and
4-MeO-PCP.[2][3]
Chemistry
3-MeO-PCP hydrochloride is a white crystalline solid with a melting point of 204–205 °C.[5]
History
3-MeO-PCP was first synthesized in 1979 to investigate the
structure–activity relationships of
phencyclidine (PCP)
derivatives. The effects of 3-MeO-PCP in humans were not described until 1999 when a chemist using the pseudonym John Q. Beagle wrote that 3-MeO-PCP was qualitatively similar to PCP with comparable
potency.[6] 3-MeO-PCP was preceded by the less potent dissociative
4-MeO-PCP and first became available as a research chemical in 2011.[6]
Society and culture
Legal status
United Kingdom
On October 18, 2012, the
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs in the
United Kingdom released a report about
methoxetamine, saying that the "harms of methoxetamine are commensurate with
Class B of the
Misuse of Drugs Act (1971)".[7] 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 arylcyclohexylamines, including 3-MeO-PCP.[3]
United States
3-MeO-PCP is not a controlled substance in the
United States but possession or distribution of 3-MeO-PCP for human use could potentially be prosecuted under the
Federal Analogue Act due to its structural and pharmacological similarities to PCP.
Canada
Canada's Controlled Drugs And Substances Act has for years placed all PCP analogues, derivatives, salts and further children thereof under a Schedule 1 prohibition, alongside opioids, cocaine and other top-ranked illegal psychoactives. As such, 3-MeO-PCP is automatically banned, although it is not mentioned by name in the schedule. Only PCP and Ketamine are specifically written in.[8]
Sweden
Sweden's public health agency suggested classifying 3-MeO-PCP as hazardous substance on November 10, 2014.[9]
^
abcdMorris H, Wallach J (2014). "From PCP to MXE: a comprehensive review of the non-medical use of dissociative drugs". Drug Test Anal. 6 (7–8): 614–32.
doi:
10.1002/dta.1620.
PMID24678061.
^Wallach J, De Paoli G, Adejare A, Brandt S (2013). "Preparation and analytical characterization of 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine (PCP) and 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)pyrrolidine (PCPy) analogues". Drug Testing and Analysis. 6 (7–8): 633–650.
doi:
10.1002/dta.1468.
PMID23554350.
^
abMorris H, Wallach J (2014). "From PCP to MXE: a comprehensive review of the non-medical use of dissociative drugs". Drug Testing and Analysis. 6 (7–8): 614–632.
doi:
10.1002/dta.1620.
PMID24678061.