1-Phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentan-1- one (α-PVP). Critical Review Report.

1-Phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentan-1-one (α-PVP) is a psychomotor stimulant that has originally been explored in the 1960s. It is the desmethyl analogue of pyrovalerone, which is listed in Schedule IV of the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. A closely related derivative of α-PVP gives rise to 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentan-1-one (3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone, MDPV) that has recently been placed in Schedule II of the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971). The first official notification of α-PVP detection in the European Union was received in February 2011. α-PVP is a synthetic cathinone derivative and commonly referred to as a new psychoactive substance (NPS), ‘research chemical’, ‘bath salt’ or ‘designer drug’. α-PVP appears to act as a potent blocker at the dopamine and norepinephrine transporter and pre-clinical research into areas of abuse liability, psychomotor activity and drug discrimination suggests that the properties of α- PVP are reminiscent of MDPV, methamphetamine and cocaine. Data indicate that α-PVP is most commonly encountered in powdered and tablet form. In addition to being available from Internet vendors in both wholesale and consumer amounts, α-PVP has also been encountered in products destined for the traditional illicit drugs market, for example, in form of ‘ecstasy’ tablets. More than 130 deaths have been associated with α-PVP and among the non-fatal acute intoxications reported, hospitalizations were required. In cases where α-PVP use was established unambiguously, neurological and cardiovascular effects consistent with an extensive psychostimulant toxidrome have been observed and included cardiotoxicity, violent behavior and display of psychotic behavior. In addition to use by traditional recreational drug users it appears that α-PVP is also used by high-risk drug users including those who inject