Desoxypipradrol (psychotropic drug): uses, effects, and contraindications

Although it has been administered as a psychotropic drug, in other environments it has had a recreational use.

In recent years there has been a notable increase in the production and distribution of synthetic drugs.

Since the late 1990s, more than 200 new psychoactive substances marketed under cover of dubious legality have been detected as alternatives to traditional illegal drugs; One of these is deoxypipradrol, a potent, long-lasting stimulant whose long-term effects are still unknown..

In this article we talk about deoxypipradrol, its effects and mechanism of action, as well as the possible adverse reactions that its consumption may cause.

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Desoxypipradrol: description and characteristics.

Deoxypipradrol or 2-DPMP is a new stimulant-type psychoactive substance, with effects similar to those of methylphenidate and other stimulant drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines.with effects similar to those of methylphenidate and other stimulant drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines. This drug was originally synthesized in 1950 by the pharmaceutical company Ciba-Geygy, from whose merger with Sandoz Novartis was born.

In its beginnings, this substance was used in the treatment of attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy, but eventually shorter-acting drugs replaced it. The pharmaceutical company that synthesized deoxypipradrol also tried it to speed recovery from anesthesia.

In the late 2000s, deoxypipradrole reappeared on the market, but this time marketed as a new psychoactive substance (NPS) for recreational use. NPS are substances that are not internationally controlled and are illegal to sell. This type of drug can be purchased from internet stores, in preparations that mimic the appearance of incense and herbs, often without any health controls.

In recent years, various toxicological reports have suggested that this drug may have led to a number of psychotic events in drug addicts in the UK and elsewhere. However, very little research has been done on the effects of this drug on the brain and its long-term effects are still unknown.

Mechanism of action

Deoxypipradrol or 2-DPMP has functional and structural similarities to pipradol (a mild central nervous system stimulant) and methylphenidate. It acts as a noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, and apparently promotes dopamine release in some parts of the brain, hence its abuse potential is significant.

Lnimal studies have shown that the release and reuptake of dopamine produced by 2-DPMP is similar to that produced by cocaine.. Users who have consumed the substance for recreational purposes report that the stimulant effects are similar to those of any drug of this type (cocaine, amphetamines, etc.), and that the only difference is the duration of its effects: between 24 and 48 hours. However, there have been cases of overdose in which the effects have lasted 3 days.

Studies on the pharmacological properties of deoxypipradrol are scarce. However, in rat brain slices, specifically in the nucleus accumbens (linked to the reward and motivation systems), it has been observed that the effects of 2-DPMP are clearly more potent than those of cocaine, exemplified by dopamine terminals in which there is a 7-fold increase in peak levels of this neurotransmitter (versus only a 3-fold increase in cocaine).

Routes of administration

There are several known routes of administration for deoxypipradrol: insufflated or by inhalation; by intravenous or intramuscular injection; orally; wrapped in a cigarette or cigarette paper; and rectally.. Oral ingestion appears to be the most common form of administration, and doses vary from 1 to 10 mg, depending on the mode of use. Typical oral doses range from 1 to 2 mg, although the optimal dose is around 5-10 mg.

There is insufficient information about whether the effects of 2-DPMP are dose-dependent or not, since there are hardly any reports of the use of this substance, apart from informal reports and the subjective experiences of consumers. Cases have been reported in which this drug has been administered rectally, through enemas in which 2-DPMP powder is introduced in water.

Effects on the body

Most of the information about the effects of deoxypipradrol is derived from first-person accounts submitted by users of the substance themselves, mainly in specialized internet forums. Acute physical effects may include: vasoconstriction, increased Blood pressure, chest pains, headache, loss of appetite, sweating, and elevated blood sugar levels.sweating and elevated creatine kinase levels.

The psychoactive effects that recreational users of this substance seek may appear after 15 minutes after consumption (usually taken orally or nasally, mainly) and include: feelings of euphoria, alertness, feelings of empathy, feelings of energy and motivation. However, adverse reactions such as hyperactivity, confusion, cardiovascular disorders, hyperthermia, bruxism, insomnia or paranoia may also occur.

Health risks

Although there are no studies on the toxicological effects of 2-DPMP in humans, some confirmed cases have been reported recently. some confirmed cases of severe acute intoxication after consumption of this substance have been reported recently.. In particular, there have been reports of acute toxicity related to the consumption of deoxypipradrolde in Scotland and Ireland.

The toxic effects observed were similar to those of amphetamines, but with predominant neuropsychiatric symptoms such as severe agitation, hallucinations, paranoid ideation, insomnia, tendency to aggression, anxiety and restlessness. In addition, people who showed symptoms of intoxication had tachycardia, chest pain and hypertension.

In some people, the symptoms were still apparent seven days after consumption. However, several toxicological examinations detected another cocaine-derived substance in addition to 2-DPMP in one of the allegorical preparations purchased on the Internet, which could have increased the risk of intoxication. In addition, some deaths related to this substance have been reported, although it is not known whether they were caused solely by consumption of this substance or by mixing with other synthetic drugs.

Bibliographic references:

• Corkery, J. M., Elliott, S., Schifano, F., Corazza, O., & Ghodse, A. H. (2012). 2-DPMP (desoxypipradrol, 2-benzhydrylpiperidine, 2-phenylmethylpiperidine) and D2PM (diphenyl-2-pyrrolidin-2-yl-methanol, diphenylprolinol): A preliminary review. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 39(2), 253-258.

• Coppola, M., & Mondola, R. (2012). Research chemicals marketed as legal highs: the case of pipradrol derivatives. Toxicology letters, 212(1), 57-60.

• Lau, N. K., Chong, Y. K., Tang, M. H., Ching, C. K., & Mak, T. W. (2016). Desoxy-D2PM: a novel psychoactive substance in convenience stores. Hong Kong Med J, 22(5), 515.