Poisoning by synthetic cathinones: Consumption behaviour and clinical description from 11 cases recorded by the Addictovigilance Centre of Bordeaux

Summary Synthetic cathinones represent a large class of new popular drugs of abuse in France and in Europe, commonly called new psychoactive substances (NPS). We describe 11 cases of synthetic cathinone abuse reported to the Bordeaux Addictovigilance Centre between January 2014 and December 2015. Cases were described according to the type of substance used, patient's age and gender, type of complications, context of use and year of the event, and, when a toxicological analyse was available, the analytical method of detection and the samples of analyse (blood, urine, powder). All patients were male, with a mean age of 35.9 years old. The synthetic cathinone most frequently reported by users was methylenedioxypyrovalerone ( n  = 8). There was analytical confirmation of synthetic cathinone use in 6 cases. Nine cases were serious, with neurologic and/or psychiatric complications in most cases. The outcome was favourable in 10 cases but one patient died. Questioning patients about use of NPS is essential, as well as NPS analytical identification when an intake is suspected.