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A-PVP Facts

Stimulant; Substituted cathinone; Dopamine reuptake inhibitor

Description

α-PVP (α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone) — also known as Flakka — is a synthetic stimulant of the cathinone class. It blocks dopamine and norepinephrine recycling in the brain,[1] flooding reward circuits with dopamine and driving intense stimulation.

Subjective effects include euphoria, sharp focus, increased energy, and a compulsive compulsive redosing urge. The experience is narrowly dopaminergic — driven reward and motivation without the warmth of serotonin-active drugs like mephedrone.[2]

α-PVP produces rapid psychological dependence and carries high risk of cardiovascular emergency, psychosis, and muscle breakdown.[3] Compulsive redosing is the central danger — extreme dopamine selectivity creates a relentless drive to use again, and each additional dose raises the risk of acute psychosis, heart crisis, and kidney injury.[4][5]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 2 mgLight2 – 5 mgCommon5 – 15 mgStrong15 – 25 mgHeavy25+ mg

Starts in 15 – 45 minLasts 2 – 6 hoursAfter-effects 2 – 8 hours

Body and dependence

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

Tolerance

Builds
Rapid
Fully resets after
10 days
Carries over to
cocaine; amphetamine; methamphetamine; MDPV; methylphenidate

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Dreaming suppression; +12 possible, including Spatial disorientation
Body
Stimulation; Restlessness; Vasoconstriction; Appetite suppression; Wakefulness; Insomnia; Physical fatigue; Pupil dilation; +27 possible, including Abnormal heartbeat, Excessive sweating, Heart rate perception changes
Thinking
Thought acceleration; Cognitive euphoria; Compulsive redosing urge; +28 possible, including Cognitive dysphoria, Decision impairment, Analysis suppression
Feeling
Euphoria; +10 possible, including Depression, Anxiety, Anhedonia
Self
Craving; +10 possible, including Compulsive repetitive behavior, Ego inflation, Social disconnection
Time
none likely · 3 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Awareness
none likely · 1 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Coronary artery disease; Uncontrolled hypertension; Cardiac arrhythmias; Psychotic disorders; Bipolar disorder; Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Relative
Epilepsy; Chronic kidney disease

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/a-pvp
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]
    ^Nguyen VT, Harris AC, Eltit JM (2024) Structural and functional perspectives on interactions between synthetic cathinones and monoamine transporters. — Advances in Pharmacology doi:10.1016/bs.apha.2023.09.001
  2. [2]
    ^Kolanos R, Sakloth F, Jain AD, Partilla JS, Baumann MH, Glennon RA (2015) Structural Modification of the Designer Stimulant α-Pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) Influences Potency at Dopamine Transporters. — ACS Chemical Neuroscience doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.5b00160
  3. [3]
    ^Zhou X, Luethi D, Sanvee GM, Bouitbir J, Liechti ME, Krähenbuhl S (2019) Molecular Toxicological Mechanisms of Synthetic Cathinones on C2C12 Myoblasts. — International Journal of Molecular Sciences doi:10.3390/ijms20071561
  4. [4]
    ^Gannon BM, Baumann MH, Walther D, Jimenez-Morigosa C, Sulima A, Rice KC, Collins GT (2018) The abuse-related effects of pyrrolidine-containing cathinones are related to their potency and selectivity to inhibit the dopamine transporter. — Neuropsychopharmacology doi:10.1038/s41386-018-0209-3
  5. [5]
    ^Kriikku P, Ojanperä I (2024) Findings of synthetic cathinones in post-mortem toxicology. — Forensic Science International doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112297
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