Substituted Cathinone Products: A New Trend in Bath Salts and Other Designer Stimulant Drug Use

There is a growing concern about the availability of a new generation of designer drug stimulants that are marketed as bath salts and other household products. The products are not true bath salts and contain substituted cathinone stimulant substances, such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and mephedrone. Calls to the American Association of Poison Control Centers regarding bath salts consumption began in 2010 and have continued since that time. Few reports of systematic epidemiologic surveillance or definitive clinical effects of toxicity specifically associated with bath salts consumption have been reported in the medical literature. The current narrative review describes the growing trend of designer substituted cathinone use, pharmacology, clinical effects, and recent regulatory changes. It is hoped that a greater understanding of the clinical effects and use patterns will help inform policy and practice.