Leslie Massey
Methoxetamine (MXE) is a dissociative hallucinogen that has been banned in Australia. It was designed to increase the antidepressant effects of ketamine and has been marketed and sold online as a legal alternative. However, its use can lead to significant additional toxicity, including agitation, a faster heart rate, and higher blood pressure. With potential serious health effects, MXE has been made illegal in Australia, with strict penalties for those caught making, supplying, or importing the drug.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legal Status in Australia | Banned |
| UN Controlled Substance | Yes, under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances |
| Worldwide Legal Status | Banned |
| Australia National Hotline | 1800 250 015 |
| Effects | Agitation, faster heart rate, higher blood pressure, unsteadiness, bladder and urinary tract problems |
| Hospitalizations | Yes, in the US and UK |
| Overdose | Yes |
| Form | Powder, capsule, liquid |
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What You'll Learn
MXE is a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS)
Methoxetamine, commonly known as MXE, is a dissociative hallucinogen that has been sold as a designer drug. It is a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS), which means it is designed to mimic existing illicit drugs. In the case of MXE, it attempts to recreate the effects of ketamine and has been marketed and sold online as a legal alternative.
MXE is an arylcyclohexylamine and a derivative of eticyclidine (PCE). It is structurally similar to 3-HO-PCP, which led to the belief that it possessed opioid properties. However, data does not support this assumption, as MXE has insignificant affinity for the μ-opioid receptor.
As an NPS, MXE is often labelled as "Not for Human Consumption" to bypass legal restrictions on the importation and sale of illicit drugs. It is mostly sold as a white, off-white, beige, or yellow powder but can also be found in capsule or liquid form. The qualitative effects of MXE were first described online in May 2010, and by November of the same year, its use and sale had increased significantly.
MXE has been associated with hospitalizations due to high consumption or consumption in combination with other drugs. It can cause "significant additional toxicity," including agitation, an increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and unsteadiness. Repeated and extended use of MXE can lead to similar bladder and urinary tract problems as those seen with ketamine abuse.
Due to its potential harm, MXE has been made illegal in many places, including Australia, where it is controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
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It is sold as a ketamine alternative
Methoxetamine (MXE) is a dissociative hallucinogen that has been sold as a designer drug and a ketamine alternative. It is designed to increase the antidepressant effects of ketamine. It is often sold as a white, off-white, beige, or yellow powder but can also be found in capsule or liquid form.
MXE is an arylcyclohexylamine and a derivative of eticyclidine (PCE). It is a selective and high-affinity NMDA receptor antagonist, specifically of the dizocilpine (MK-801) site. It also acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. MXE has a longer duration of action than ketamine.
MXE was designed to avoid the urotoxicity associated with ketamine abuse, with the belief that its increased potency and reduced dose would limit the accumulation of urotoxic metabolites in the bladder. However, animal studies have shown that MXE can produce bladder inflammation and fibrosis after high-dose chronic administration, similar to ketamine.
The use of MXE can lead to "significant additional toxicity", including agitation, a faster heart rate, higher blood pressure, and unsteadiness on the feet. These symptoms are rarely seen with ketamine or other recreational drugs. There is also a risk of polydrug use, where MXE is combined with other drugs or alcohol, which can have unpredictable and dangerous effects.
MXE is now banned worldwide, including in Australia. It is controlled under the UN 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and is classified as a Schedule 2 drug.
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It can cause bladder and urinary tract problems
Methoxetamine (MXE) is a dissociative hallucinogen that has been sold as a designer drug. It was designed to increase the antidepressant effects of ketamine. MXE is illegal in Australia, as it is in most countries worldwide.
MXE is known to cause bladder and urinary tract problems. When used repeatedly and for extended periods, MXE can produce bladder and urinary tract problems similar to those caused by ketamine. Ketamine-induced cystitis can be extremely serious and painful, requiring ongoing treatment. Anyone experiencing bladder or urinary tract issues after using MXE should stop taking the drug and consult a healthcare professional.
MXE has been found to produce bladder inflammation and fibrosis in mice after high-dose chronic administration. While reports of urotoxicity in humans have not yet been documented in medical literature, animal studies suggest that MXE may have rapid antidepressant effects similar to those of ketamine. It is important to note that injecting drugs, including MXE, can cause damage to veins and other tissues.
The effects of combining MXE with other drugs are unpredictable and potentially dangerous. While there is limited evidence regarding MXE and dependence, experts believe that its similarity to ketamine means it carries a comparable risk of dependence. Anecdotal reports suggest avoiding mixing MXE with alcohol, cannabis, and antidepressants.
If you or someone you know is struggling with MXE use, it is important to seek help. Resources are available to support those affected by substance use disorders. In Australia, the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline (1800 250 015) offers free and confidential advice, information, and counselling about alcohol and other drugs.
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It has been linked to hospitalisations and overdose
Methoxetamine (MXE) is a dissociative hallucinogen that has been sold as a designer drug. It is often marketed and sold online as a legal alternative to ketamine. However, MXE has been linked to hospitalisations and overdose in certain cases of high and/or combined consumption.
MXE has been found to produce similar effects to ketamine, including bladder and urinary tract problems with prolonged use. In addition, it can cause "significant additional toxicity", such as agitation, an increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and unsteadiness. These symptoms are not commonly associated with ketamine or other recreational drugs, and they can have serious consequences.
MXE has been associated with hospitalisations in the US and UK. In particular, there have been reports of acute reversible cerebellar toxicity, resulting in hospital admissions due to MXE overdose. This toxicity can last between one and four days after exposure.
The combination of MXE with other substances can also lead to unpredictable and dangerous outcomes. While there is limited evidence on the effects of combining MXE with other drugs, it is generally advised to avoid mixing it with alcohol, cannabis, and antidepressants. Injecting MXE can also cause damage to veins and other tissues.
The health risks associated with MXE have led to its classification as a controlled substance in many countries, including Australia. It is important for individuals to understand that just because a substance is described as a "legal high", it does not imply that it is safe or less harmful than illegal drugs.
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It is illegal in Australia
Methoxetamine (MXE) is illegal in Australia. It is a dissociative hallucinogen that has been sold as a designer drug and is often marketed and sold online as a legal alternative to ketamine. MXE is a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS), which is a category of drugs designed to mimic existing illicit drugs.
In 2012, the UK government banned MXE for up to 12 months while its advisers decided whether to permanently control it. This decision was made following evidence that the drug can lead to "significant additional toxicity", including agitation, an increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and unsteadiness on the feet. These symptoms are rarely seen with ketamine or other recreational drugs. The drug was also referred to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which found that it could cause harm to users, with health effects similar to those of ketamine, a controlled substance.
MXE is often sold as a white, off-white, beige, or yellow powder but can also be found in capsule or liquid form. It is sometimes labelled as "Not for Human Consumption" to circumvent legal restrictions on the importation and sale of illicit drugs and NPSs. The effects of MXE can be unpredictable, especially when combined with other drugs or substances. There have been reports of hospitalizations due to high consumption or consumption in combination with other drugs in the US and UK.
In Australia, the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline offers free and confidential advice, information, and counselling about alcohol and other drugs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, MXE is illegal in Australia. It is a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) and part of a range of drugs designed to mimic existing illicit drugs.
Methoxetamine (MXE) is a dissociative hallucinogen that has been sold as a designer drug. It was designed to increase the antidepressant effects of ketamine.
The effects of MXE are similar to those of ketamine. It can lead to significant additional toxicity, including agitation, a faster heart rate, higher blood pressure, and unsteadiness on the feet.
Yes, MXE is considered dangerous. There have been reports of hospitalizations due to high and/or combined consumption of MXE. It can also cause bladder and urinary tract problems with extended use.
The legal consequences of MXE in Australia are likely aligned with the country's drug laws and regulations. These may include fines, imprisonment, and/or rehabilitation, similar to other illicit substances.
