Deoxyipradrol (psychoactive drug): uses, effects, and contraindications

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 have been detected marketed under covers of dubious legality that are used as alternatives to drugs traditional illegal; one of them is deoxyipradrol, a powerful long-lasting stimulant whose long-term effects are still unknown.

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

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Deoxipipradrol: 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. This drug was originally synthesized in 1950 by the pharmaceutical company Ciba-Geygy, from whose merger with Sandoz Novartis was born.

In its early days, this substance was used in the treatment of attention deficit disorder and

narcolepsy, but eventually shorter-acting drugs ended up replacing it. The pharmaceutical company that synthesized deoxyipradrol also tested it to speed recovery from anesthesia.

In the late 2000s, deoxypyradol reappeared on the market, but this time marketed as a new psychoactive substance (NPS) for recreational uses. NPS are substances that are not internationally controlled and whose sale is illegal. This type of drug can be bought in internet stores, in preparations that mimic the appearance of incense and herbs, often without any sanitary control.

In recent years, various toxicological reports have suggested that this drug could have led to a series 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 structural and functional similarities to pipradol (a mild stimulant of the central nervous system) and methylphenidate. It acts as a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor and appears to promote the release of dopamine in some parts of the brain, hence its abuse potential is significant.

LAnimal studies have shown that the release and reuptake of dopamine produced by 2-DPMP is similar to that caused 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 and days.

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

Administration routes

There are several known routes of administration for deoxyipradrol: insufflated or inhaled; by intravenous or intramuscular injection; oral form; wrapped in a cigarette or cigarette paper; and rectally. Oral ingestion appears to be the most common form of administration, with doses ranging 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 they hardly exist reports of use of this substance, apart from informal reports and subjective experiences of the consumers. Cases have been reported in which this drug has been administered rectally, through enemas in which 2-DPMP powder is introduced into water.

Effects on the body

Most of the information about the effects of deoxypyradrol is derived from reports at first person presented by the users of the substance themselves, mainly in specialized forums of Internet. Acute physical effects can include: vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure, chest pain, headache, loss of appetite, perspiration and elevation of creatine kinase levels.

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

Health risks

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

The toxic effects observed were similar to those of amphetamines, but with predominant neuropsychiatric symptoms such as 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, symptoms still showed up seven days after consumption. However, several toxicological tests detected another substance derived from cocaine in addition to 2-DPMP in one of the illegal preparations purchased on the internet, which could have increased the risk of poisoning. In addition, some deaths related to this substance have been registered, although it is unknown if they have been caused solely by the consumption of this substance or by mixing it with other drugs synthetic.

Bibliographic references:

• Corkery, J. M., Elliott, S., Schifano, F., Corazza, O., & Ghodse, A. H. (2012). 2-DPMP (deoxypipradrol, 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.

• The one. 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.