Beware of 25C-NBOMe: An Nbenzyl substituted Phenethylamine

 Beware of 25C-NBOMe: An Nbenzyl substituted Phenethylamine

Substituted phenethylamines and their derivatives are designer drugs that hold a significantposition in the current drug abuse market 2- (4 - chloro - 2,5 - dimethoxyphenyl) - N - (2- methoxybenzyl) ethanamine (25C-NBOMe) is the N- benzyl derivative of the psychedelicchloro - substituted dimethoxy - phenethylamine that is highly potent and invaded recently inthe “drug arena”. A systematic review of the published literature was performed using PubMed and Medline databases, together with additional non-peer reviewed information sources, including media reports, drug users’ personal experience forums, books andpublications of state authorities in different countries concerning 25C-NBOMe. Intoxicationsand fatalities related to 25C-NBOMe use are increased worldwide, despite the fact that its useand trafficking are banned in many countries. All available information regarding chemistry, availability, pharmacology and toxicology of 25C-NBOMe is reviewed. All published orreported cases, as well as the current legislation concerning this drug is presented. Significant information on 25C-NBOMe is provided for pharmacologists, toxicologists, forensic pathologists and regulatory authorities. Public should remain vigilant as various new substituted phenethylamines continuously appear. Clinicians and medical doctors should strongly discourage the purchase and use of psychedelic drugs and inform the public of all thesevere consequences associated with such a use. The development of proper routine analytical methods for the determination of phenethylamine derivatives and their metabolites in biological fluids is needed for proper toxicological investigation of forensic and clinical cases.