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Methiopropamine Facts

Stimulant; Thiophene; Norepinephrine releasing agent

Description

MPA (methiopropamine) is a synthetic stimulant of the thiophene class. It blocks dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake in the brain, producing wakefulness, focus, and mild stimulation.[1]

Subjective effects include enhanced wakefulness, sustained attention, mood elevation, appetite suppression, and mild physical energy. The experience is functional rather than euphoric — steady and focus-oriented, closer to methylphenidate than to amphetamine, without the hedonic rush or social warmth of more potent stimulants.[2]

MPA carries significant dependence potential — structural brain rewiring appears after as few as four doses in animals[3] — and chronic exposure caused heart damage and sudden death in mice without prior warning signs.[4] The dose-response curve is steep: effects escalate sharply within a narrow range, and no lethal dose has been established in any species.

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 10 mgLight20 – 30 mgCommon30 – 50 mgStrong50 – 60 mgHeavy60+ mg

Starts in 30 – 60 minLasts 6 – 10 hoursAfter-effects 1 – 2 hours

Body and dependence

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

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
10.5 days
Carries over to
amphetamine; methamphetamine; methylphenidate

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Dreaming suppression; +6 possible
Body
Stimulation; Appetite suppression; Wakefulness; Dry mouth; Insomnia; Pupil dilation; +23 possible, including Temperature dysregulation, Dehydration sensation, Heart rate perception changes
Thinking
Thought acceleration; +27 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge, Cognitive dysphoria, Cognitive impairment
Feeling
Euphoria; +8 possible, including Anxiety, Depression, Anhedonia
Self
none likely · 10 possible, including Craving, Ego inflation, Compulsive repetitive behavior
Time
none likely · 2 possible
Awareness
Sustained attention (vicara); +2 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Pre-existing cardiovascular disease; Concurrent MAOI use
Relative
Seizure disorders; Psychotic disorders or bipolar disorder; Renal impairment; Pregnancy and lactation; Concurrent serotonergic medication

Combinations61 recorded

Lethal (2)
MAOIs; Tramadol
Dangerous (26)
Anticholinergics; Caffeine; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; GHB, Baclofen; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; Opioids; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Antipsychotics; Dopamine agonists; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Lithium; NSAIDs; Poppers (Alkyl nitrites); Poppers, Nitrates; and 2 more, see full page
Caution (30)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/methiopropamine
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.a1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^Tuv SS, Bergh MS, Andersen JM, Steinsland S, Vindenes V, Baumann MH, Huestis MA, Bogen IL (2021) Comparative Neuropharmacology and Pharmacokinetics of Methamphetamine and Its Thiophene Analog Methiopropamine in Rodents — International Journal of Molecular Sciences doi:10.3390/ijms222112002
  2. [2]
    ^DrugWise / Release (2023) Methiopropamine - MPA - DrugWise harm reduction information Link
  3. [3]
    ^Cai WT, Yoon HS, Lee S, Kim JH (2019) Repeated exposure to methiopropamine increases dendritic spine density in the rat nucleus accumbens core — Neurochemistry International doi:10.1016/j.neuint.2019.104487
  4. [4]
    ^Foti F, Marti M, Ossato A, Bilel S, Sangiorgi E, Botré F, Cerbelli B, Baldi A, De-Giorgio F (2019) Phenotypic effects of chronic and acute use of methiopropamine in a mouse model — International Journal of Legal Medicine doi:10.1007/s00414-018-1891-8
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