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A-PVP (alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone), circulated recreationally as "flakka", is a pyrrolidine synthetic cathinone structurally related to MDPV. Pharmacologically it acts as a potent and highly selective inhibitor of the dopamine and norepinephrine transporters, with minimal activity at the serotonin transporter, a profile that in vitro assays place at or above the potency of cocaine and methamphetamine. This dopaminergic selectivity is thought to underlie its pronounced reinforcing and psychostimulant properties, which have been confirmed in rodent self-administration, conditioned place preference, and drug-discrimination studies. Reported effects include intense stimulation, euphoria, and a strong compulsion to redose, while heavy use is associated with agitation, paranoia, hyperthermia, and cardiovascular toxicity. Its abuse liability, distinctive metabolite (2-oxo-PVP), and rapidly expanding family of halogenated and homologous analogues have made it a continuing focus of forensic and toxicological surveillance.
- Intense stimulation and euphoria
- Marked energy and wakefulness
- Appetite suppression
- Potent dopamine-selective reuptake blocker driving strong reinforcement
- Extreme compulsive redosing
- Hyperthermia and muscle breakdown
- Paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis
- Cardiovascular strain and seizures
Mechanism
A-PVP blocks the and transporters (the proteins that clear these neurotransmitters from the ), and is particularly potent at the . This heavy dopamine action drives its strong euphoria and its intense reinforcing, compulsive quality. It sits in the same pyrrolidinophenone cathinone family as MDPV and a-PHP.
receptor fingerprint
()Reuptake inhibitor
transporter (NET)Reuptake inhibitor
Dosingtypical ranges, not medical advice
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Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
Its potent, short-lived dopamine action makes it extremely compulsive, and binges commonly bring insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations, and full stimulant psychosis. Physically it can cause dangerous hyperthermia (overheating), a racing heart, high blood pressure, seizures, and muscle breakdown that harms the kidneys. Combining it with other stimulants, MAOIs, or serotonergic drugs sharply raises cardiovascular and psychiatric risk. Not medical advice.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Avoid entirely. The compulsive redosing is the pharmacology itself rather than a failure of willpower, and binges routinely end in paranoia, psychosis, hyperthermia and muscle breakdown that damages the kidneys. There is no sensible way to use this.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 2018first citedThe abuse-related effects of pyrrolidine-containing cathinones are related to their potency and…
- 2021most active year4 papers
- 2025most recentUnveiling the potential abuse liability of α-D2PV: A novel α-carbon phenyl-substituted syntheti…
- 1.Flakka: New Dangerous Synthetic Cathinone on the Drug Scene.
- 2.The abuse-related effects of pyrrolidine-containing cathinones are related to their potency and selectivity to inhibit the dopamine transporter.
- 3.Conditioned place preference with low dose mixtures of α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP) and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats.
- 4.Characterization of neurotransmitter inhibition for seven cathinones by a proprietary fluorescent dye method.
- 5.Structure-Activity Relationships for a Recently Controlled Synthetic Cathinone Dopamine Transporter Reuptake Inhibitor: α-Pyrrolidinohexiophenone (α-PHP).
- 6.Neuropsychopharmacology of Emerging Drugs of Abuse: meta- and para-Halogen-Ring-Substituted α-PVP ("flakka") Derivatives.
- 7.Sex differences in inflammatory cytokine levels following synthetic cathinone self-administration in rats.
- 8.Ethanol pre-exposure differentially impacts the rewarding and aversive effects of α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP): Implications for drug use and abuse.
- 9.Evaluation of Cytotoxic and Mutagenic Effects of the Synthetic Cathinones Mexedrone, α-PVP and α-PHP.
- 10.Reinforcing and discriminative-stimulus effects of two pyrrolidine-containing synthetic cathinone derivatives in rats.
- 11.Unveiling the potential abuse liability of α-D2PV: A novel α-carbon phenyl-substituted synthetic cathinone.
- 12.Analysis for Alpha-Pyrrolidinovalerophenone and Its 2-Oxo-PVP Metabolite in Plasma by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.
13 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
What is "flakka"?
It is a street name for a-PVP, a potent synthetic cathinone linked to agitated, paranoid binge episodes.
Why is it so dangerous?
Its strong, short-lived dopamine action drives compulsive binges, and it can cause severe hyperthermia, psychosis, and cardiovascular emergencies.
How does it relate to MDPV?
Both are pyrrolidinophenone cathinones with similar potent reuptake-blocking mechanisms and strong compulsive potential.
Adverse effects
- Extreme compulsive redosing
- Hyperthermia and muscle breakdown
- Paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis
- Cardiovascular strain and seizures