Metodos de analísis químico para la detección de la 4-metilmetcatinona (mefedrina), desde una perspectiva farmacológica y toxicológica

Autores/as

  • Diego Hernando Ángulo Florez Fundación Universitaria Juan de Castellanos
  • Edna Carolina Cipagauta Esquivel Universidad de Boyacá

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38017/1657463X.686

Palabras clave:

Catinona, Mefedrina, 4-metilmetcatinona, Farmacología, Toxicología

Resumen

En los últimos 25 años en Europa, han surgido nuevas drogas sintéticas derivadas de la planta de khat (Catha edulis), denominadas Catinonas, que es un alcaloide muy potente análogo a las anfetaminas. Entre los derivados de la catinona se encuentra la mefedrina (4-metilmetcatinona (4-MMC)), que tiene efectos farmacológicos equivalentes a los reportados por el éxtasis, las anfetaminas o la cocaína. El presente artículo presenta una revisión exhaustiva de la literatura referente a los principales métodos de detección de la 4-MMC conocida como mefedrona, además de presentar las propiedades fisicoquímicas, farmacológicas, toxicológicas y los principales efectos nocivos para la salud. Es de particular interés y preocupación que este medicamento derivado de la efedrina provenga de una planta y se considere legal en algunos países de Europa occidental. Ha sido ampliamente utilizado en los últimos años con fines recreativos en varios países de Europa, América del Norte y la mayoría de los países de América del Sur debido a su facilidad de compra y por ser una nueva alternativa al éxtasis y la cocaína. Los efectos de la 4-MMC están asociados con efectos estimulantes, como aumento de la concentración, estimulación psicomotora, reducción del apetito e insomnio. Estudios recientes han descrito que el uso compulsivo de mefedrona es principalmente un fenómeno juvenil y entre los efectos secundarios más peligrosos se encuentran la adicción intensa, los cambios bruscos de la temperatura corporal y la frecuencia cardíaca, las alucinaciones, la psicosis y la muerte por sobredosis. Con base en lo anterior, es esencial que las revisiones de la literatura se centren en la química, la farmacología, la toxicología y el análisis de riesgos para la mefedrona, para encontrar estrategias para la determinación rápida y mitigar sus efectos adversos en los adictos, así como evitar el consumo.

Biografía del autor/a

Diego Hernando Ángulo Florez, Fundación Universitaria Juan de Castellanos

Licenciado en Química con énfasis en análisis químico instrumental. Magíster en Docencia de la Química. Doctor en Química de la Universidad Federal de São João del-Rei, por el programa multicéntrico en química de Minas Gerais-Brasil, bolsista (becario) por la OEA del programa BRACOL del grupo COIMBRA para la cooperación de América Latina.

Edna Carolina Cipagauta Esquivel, Universidad de Boyacá

Química de alimentos, Magíster en Química Orgánica por el programa multicéntrico en química de Minas Gerais-Brasil, bolsista (becaria) de la Rede Mineira de Química-UFSJ, Universidad Federal de São João del-Rei. Docente universitaria que enfoca la educación y la enseñanza en la interdisciplinariedad en contexto, la integralidad con otras disciplinas y la resolución de problemas mediante los niveles de abertura.

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Cómo citar

Ángulo Florez, D. H., & Cipagauta Esquivel, E. C. (2020). Metodos de analísis químico para la detección de la 4-metilmetcatinona (mefedrina), desde una perspectiva farmacológica y toxicológica. Cultura Científica, 1(18), 95–120. https://doi.org/10.38017/1657463X.686

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Publicado

2020-12-14

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Artículo de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica