Pharmacotherapy of Patients Taking New Psychoactive Substances: A Systematic Review and Analysis of Case Reports

In recent years, an increase in the frequency of hospitalizations of patients taking newer and newer psychoactive substances has been observed around the world. Each year, authors publish case reports of patients who consumed previously unknown NPS. Most publications of this type concern the period between 2014 and 2016. However, no publication systematically reviews the pharmacotherapy used in these cases. This study aims to review the case reports of patients taking NPS published between 2010 and 2019, as well as analyzing the pharmacotherapy used. Read more

Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Novel Psychoactive Substances

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) represent a severe health risk for drug users. Even though the phenomenon has been growing since the early 2000s, the mechanisms of action of NPS at the receptors and beyond them are still scarcely understood. The aim of the present study was to provide a systematic review of the updated knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the toxicity of synthetic opioids, cannabinoids, cathinones, and stimulants. Read more

New Psychoactive Substances and Suicidality: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature

Background and Objectives:  Over the past twenty years a large number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) have entered and modified the recreational drug scene. Their intake has been associated with health-related risks, especially so for vulnerable populations such as people with severe mental illness, who might be at higher risk of suicidality or self-injurious behavior. This paper aims at providing an overview of NPS abuse and the effects on mental health and suicidality issues, by performing a literature review of the current related knowledge, thereby identifying those substances that, more than others, are linked to suicidal behaviors. Read more

NIDA: Synthetic cathinones

You can download the brochure of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (USA) at THIS LINK.

Acute Pharmacological Effects of Oral and Intranasal Mephedrone: An Observational Study in Humans

You can read this open access article in English at THIS LINK. Read more

Synthetic cathinones

One of the predominant structural groups of NPS are synthetic cathinones. These are β-keto phenethylamines, that have similarities to amphetamine, methamphetamine and MDMA in structure and mechanism of action. Read more

Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS)

The term “amphetamine-type stimulants” (ATS) was coined during the WHO Meeting on Amphetamines, MDMA and other Psychostimulants in Geneva, 1996. Read more

New psychoactive substances

The rapid emergence of a large number of NPS on the global drug market poses a significant risk to public health and a challenge to drug policy. Often, little is known about the adverse health effects and social harms of NPS, which pose a considerable challenge for prevention and treatment. The analysis and identification of a large number of chemically diverse substances present in drug markets at the same time is demanding. Monitoring, information sharing, early warning and risk awareness are essential to respond to this situation. Read more