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Pentedrone Facts

Stimulant; Substituted cathinone; Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor

Description

Pentedrone (2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpentan-1-one) — "bath salts" — is a synthetic stimulant of the cathinone class. It blocks the clearance of dopamine and norepinephrine from the brain,[1] producing focused stimulation and motivational drive.

Subjective effects include stimulation, motivation enhancement, cognitive euphoria, mental focus, and appetite suppression.[2] The experience is narrow and task-oriented — dopaminergic drive without the emotional warmth of serotonin-active compounds, closer in character to cocaine than to mephedrone.

Dependence liability is substantial — pentedrone drives compulsive patterns in animals[3] and depletes dopamine with repeated use; in vitro liver toxicity exceeds that of MDMA.[4] The short peak drives compulsive redosing that compounds cardiovascular strain — the primary acute danger[5] — and combining it with MAOIs or other stimulants dramatically amplifies risk.

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 5 mgLight5 – 15 mgCommon15 – 30 mgStrong30 – 50 mgHeavy50+ mg

Starts in 15 – 30 minLasts 2 – 6 hoursAfter-effects 1 – 10 hours

Body and dependence

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

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
10 days
Carries over to
cocaine; amphetamine; methamphetamine; methylphenidate; other synthetic cathinones

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 8 possible, including Tinnitus
Body
Wakefulness; Appetite suppression; Stimulation; Vasoconstriction; Pupil dilation; +20 possible, including Dehydration sensation, Insomnia, Excessive sweating
Thinking
none likely · 27 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge, Cognitive dysphoria, Decision impairment
Feeling
none likely · 9 possible, including Depression, Anhedonia, Anxiety
Self
none likely · 8 possible, including Craving, Ego inflation
Time
none likely · 2 possible
Awareness
none likely · 1 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Hypertension; Coronary artery disease; Cardiac arrhythmias; Epilepsy; Pregnancy and breastfeeding; MAOI use
Relative
Bipolar disorder; Psychotic disorders; Hepatic impairment

Combinations61 recorded

Lethal (1)
Tramadol
Dangerous (29)
Amphetamines; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; MAOIs; MDMA, Amphetamines; NRIs; Stimulants; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Anticholinergics; Antipsychotics; Caffeine; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Dopamine agonists; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Lithium; MDMA, MDA; NSAIDs; Opioids; Poppers (Alkyl nitrites); Poppers, Nitrates; Psychedelics; and 5 more, see full page
Caution (27)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/pentedrone
Not graded (4)
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]
    ^Simmler LD, Rickli A, Hoener MC, Liechti ME (2014) Monoamine transporter and receptor interaction profiles of a new series of designer cathinones — Neuropharmacology doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.11.008
  2. [2]
    ^Drevin G, Gaulier JM, Hakim F, et al. (2024) Synthetic cathinones in drug-facilitated sexual assault: A case report involving N-ethylpentedrone — Forensic science international doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112030
  3. [3]
    ^Duart-Castells L, Nadal-Gratacós N, Muralter M, Puster B, Berzosa X, Estrada-Tejedor R, Niello M, Bhat S, Pubill D, Camarasa J, Sitte HH, Escubedo E, López-Arnau R (2021) Role of amino terminal substitutions in the pharmacological, rewarding and psychostimulant profiles of novel synthetic cathinones. — Neuropharmacology doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108475
  4. [4]
    ^Valente MJ, Araújo AM, Bastos Mde L, Fernandes E, Carvalho F, Guedes de Pinho P, Carvalho M (2016) Characterization of Hepatotoxicity Mechanisms Triggered by Designer Cathinone Drugs — Toxicological sciences doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfw105
  5. [5]
    ^Deville M, Fedorowicz R, Grandjean F, Simon M, Charlier C (2023) Synthetic Cathinones in Belgium: Two Case Reports with Different Outcomes Observed in the Emergency Room — Journal of analytical toxicology doi:10.1093/jat/bkac092
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