Overview
Synthetic cathinones (SCs) are a large class of new psychoactive substances (NPS) that mimic the stimulant effects of amphetamines 1. They are a significant public health challenge due to the regular development of new substances by illegal laboratories and a broad spectrum of potential side effects 1.Diagnosis
Neurological events associated with SC use can include increased alertness, agitation, severe psychosis, hyperthermia, and death 1.Management
No specific management strategies are detailed in the provided abstracts.Special Populations
No information is available on special populations.Key Recommendations
The spectrum of side effects caused by SC intake is very broad, acting on different systems with various mechanisms of action 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
Synthetic cathinones have been implicated in various neurological events, including severe psychosis and hyperthermia 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
Synthetic cathinones represent the second largest class of new psychoactive substances monitored by the EU Early Warning System 1. (Evidence: Moderate)References
1 Daziani G, Lo Faro AF, Montana V, Goteri G, Pesaresi M, Bambagiotti G et al.. Synthetic Cathinones and Neurotoxicity Risks: A Systematic Review. International journal of molecular sciences 2023. link