Alopecia areata problem caused by abuse of MT-45

Kadem S., Bulut C., Arslan Z., Türkmen Z.

5th Regional TIAFT Meeting, Diyarbakır, Türkiye, 9 - 11 Ekim 2024, ss.5, (Özet Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Diyarbakır
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.5
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet

Özet

Alopecia areata problem caused by abuse of MT-45

Sena Nur Kadem, Cenk Bulut, Zeynep Arslan, Zeynep Türkmen

1Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, The Institute of Forensic Sciences and Legal Medicine,

Department of Science, Istanbul, Türkiye

Abstract

MT-45 is an analgesic belonging to the class of New Generation Synthetic Opioids (NOS), among the many and varied NPS available on the illicit drug market. Although MT-45 is structurally different from other therapeutic opioids, it is structurally similar to diphenidine, an NMDA receptor agonist. MT-45 can be ingested through various routes and is associated with several adverse effects, including hair loss (Alopecia areata), pigment loss, folliculitis, dermatitis, elevated liver enzymes, transverse white Mees lines on fingernails and toenails, cataracts, hearing loss, and loss of consciousness.

MT-45 was seized for the first time from the illicit market in Japan, and nine non-fatal MT-45 poisoning cases were identified by the STRIDA project in Sweden. In addition to its various medical uses, MT-45 is also used recreationally. The detection of MT-45 in biological fluids was reported to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) in connection with 28 fatal and 12 non-fatal poisonings in Sweden. The substance was implicated as either the cause or a contributing factor in 19 of the deaths and was often found in combination with other psychoactive substances. Such reported cases emphasize the forensic and clinical aspects of MT-45. 

The growing interest in MT-45 may pose a new public health issue. Health professionals should be vigilant for MT-45 abuse, especially in clinical cases exhibiting symptoms involving the skin, hair, and eyes simultaneously. Additionally, further research on the effects of MT-45 is necessary, and efforts should be made to raise public awareness about the potential risks of this substance without promoting its use. This study aims to examine the chemical structure, pharmacological effects, methods of use, and cases of poisoning and mortality related to MT-45, and to contribute to reducing/preventing its use and increasing awareness about the substance.

Keywords: MT-45, New generation synthetic opioids, drug abuse, public health