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3,4-CTMP Facts

Stimulant; Phenidate; Dopamine reuptake inhibitor

Description

3,4-CTMP (3,4-dichloromethylphenidate) is a synthetic stimulant of the phenidate class. It blocks the clearance of dopamine and norepinephrine from the brain, producing the sustained stimulation characteristic of the phenidate class.[1]

Subjective effects include sustained stimulation, focused alertness, appetite suppression, cold extremities, and a strong compulsive urge to redose. The experience is dominated by its noradrenergic character — a tense, body-focused alertness with prominent vasoconstriction, distinguishing it from more euphoric stimulants.

3,4-CTMP carries meaningful dependence risk — it produces the largest dopamine surge among tested phenidate analogs, and compulsive redosing urges are consistently reported.[2] The acute danger is dose stacking during the slow onset window; chronic use raises concern for heart valve damage through a separate serotonin receptor mechanism.[1]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 2 mgLight2 – 4 mgCommon4 – 6 mgStrong6 – 8 mgHeavy8+ mg

Starts in 2 – 4 hoursLasts 6 – 18 hoursAfter-effects 2 – 24 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Moderate
Chronic toxicity
Moderate
Physical dependence
Low
Psychological dependence
High
Withdrawal
Mild
Compulsive redosing
High

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
14 days
Carries over to
methylphenidate; ethylphenidate; cocaine

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 6 possible
Body
Stimulation; Appetite suppression; Pupil dilation; Vasoconstriction; Wakefulness; +19 possible, including Insomnia, Abnormal heartbeat, Heart rate perception changes
Thinking
none likely · 20 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge, Cognitive dysphoria
Feeling
none likely · 8 possible, including Anxiety, Depression, Paranoia
Self
none likely · 7 possible, including Craving, Ego inflation
Time
none likely · 1 possible
Awareness
none likely · 1 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Cardiac valvulopathy or pulmonary arterial hypertension; Pre-existing cardiovascular disease; Seizure disorders; Concurrent MAOI use
Relative
Anxiety disorders; History of stimulant dependence; Hepatic impairment; Pregnancy and lactation; Concurrent serotonergic medication

Combinations62 recorded

Lethal (2)
Ibogaine; Tramadol
Dangerous (29)
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Amphetamines; Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; MAOIs; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; Opioids; SSRIs; Stimulants; Anticholinergics; Antipsychotics; Buspirone; Caffeine; Dopamine agonists; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Lithium; NSAIDs; and 5 more, see full page
Caution (28)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/3-4-ctmp
Not graded (3)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Chest pain; racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
  • Very high body temperature; heavy sweating; hot, flushed skin
  • Severe agitation, paranoia, panic, or confusion
  • Severe headache; muscle rigidity or twitching
  • Seizures
  • Signs of stroke — face drooping, one-sided weakness, slurred speech
  • Difficulty breathing; collapse or unconsciousness

What to do

  1. Call emergency services for chest pain, overheating, seizure, or unresponsiveness
  2. Move them to a cool, quiet place and reduce stimulation
  3. Cool the body — remove excess clothing, apply cool damp cloths, fan them
  4. Keep them calm; reassure — panic worsens the cardiovascular strain
  5. If seizing, protect from injury (don't restrain); recovery position afterward
  6. Monitor breathing and be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR

Most stimulant overdoses settle with cooling, a calm environment, and time. The medical danger is hyperthermia, cardiac events (arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke), and seizures — get help immediately if any appear.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

Version r1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^abLuethi D, Kaeser PJ, Brandt SD, Krähenbuhl S, Hoener MC, Liechti ME (2018) Pharmacological profile of methylphenidate-based designer drugs — Neuropharmacology doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.08.020
  2. [2]
    ^Davidson C, Raby CAR, Barrese V, Ramsey J (2018) In Vitro Neurochemical Assessment of Methylphenidate and Its "Legal High" Analogs 3,4-CTMP and Ethylphenidate in Rat Nucleus Accumbens and Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis — Frontiers in Psychiatry doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00149
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