3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV): Chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of a new designer drug of abuse marketed online

The illicit marketplace of substances of abuse continually offers for sale legal alternatives to controlled drugs to a large public. In recent years, a new group of designer drugs, the synthetic cathinones, has emerged as a new trend, particularly among young people. The 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), one of this synthetic compounds, caused an international alert for its cardiovascular and neurological toxicity. This substance, sold as bath salts, has caused many serious intoxications and some deaths in several countries. The aim of this paper is summarise the clinical, pharmacological and toxicological information about this new designer drug.

► 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is a new designer drug of abuse.
► This substance is marketed as bath salts.
► MDPV is used as alternative to other illicit stimulants.
► MDPV can produce neurological and cardiovascular toxicity.
► Literature data suggest a high risk of acute toxicity, tolerance and dependence.