spec sheet10 rows
Mexedrone (3-methoxy-2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one) is an alpha-methoxy analog of mephedrone marketed as a legal successor after mephedrone was banned. It inhibits reuptake of serotonin and dopamine and shows affinity for their transporters and receptors, lowering striatal serotonin transporter levels while raising serotonin; its locomotor and reinforcing effects are blocked by 5-HT2A antagonism, and it substitutes for cocaine in drug discrimination, indicating genuine abuse potential despite generally being reported as weaker and less euphoric than mephedrone. Analytically confirmed clinical cases describe agitation, tachycardia, and occasional psychosis, usually in the setting of polydrug use. In vitro work has additionally flagged mutagenic potential for the parent compound and its metabolites.
- Mild stimulation
- Some mood lift and warmth
- Lower compulsion than mephedrone
- Methoxy mephedrone analog favoring serotonin
- Raised heart rate and blood pressure
- Anxiety and insomnia
Mechanism
Mexedrone is thought to act at the monoamine transporters like other cathinones, with a relative preference for and comparatively weaker action, which fits its milder, less compulsive reputation. Because it is an obscure compound, its exact release-versus-reuptake profile and affinities are not well established, so it is described conservatively.
receptor fingerprint
transporterReuptake inhibitor
Reuptake inhibitor
transporterReuptake inhibitor
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
Even as a milder cathinone it still raises heart rate and blood pressure, can cause anxiety and insomnia, and can prompt redosing, though usually less compulsively than mephedrone. Its serotonergic activity means it should not be combined with MAOIs or other serotonergic drugs. Human safety data are thin, so unknown risks apply. Not medical advice.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Milder and less compulsive than mephedrone, but milder is the only thing it has going for it; the mood lift is modest while the raised heart rate, blood pressure and lost sleep are not. Human safety data is thin enough that the unknowns outweigh the payoff.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 2017first citedSynthesis, characterization and monoamine transporter activity of the new psychoactive substanc…
- 2024most recentThe psychomotor, reinforcing, and discriminative stimulus effects of synthetic cathinone mexedr…
- 1.The psychomotor, reinforcing, and discriminative stimulus effects of synthetic cathinone mexedrone in male mice and rats.
- 2.Synthesis, characterization and monoamine transporter activity of the new psychoactive substance mexedrone and its N-methoxy positional isomer, N-methoxymephedrone.
- 3.11 analytically confirmed cases of mexedrone use among polydrug users.
- 4.Evaluation of Cytotoxic and Mutagenic Effects of the Synthetic Cathinones Mexedrone, α-PVP and α-PHP.
- 5.Prevalence of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and conventional drugs of abuse (DOA) in high risk populations from Paris (France) and its suburbs: A cross sectional study by hair testing (2012-2017).
5 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
Is mexedrone just mephedrone?
No, it is a related but distinct methoxy analog that is generally reported as weaker and less euphoric than mephedrone.
Why was it sold?
It appeared as a legal-status replacement after mephedrone was banned, marketed as a milder, longer alternative.
Is it well understood?
Not really; its exact transporter profile is poorly characterized, so its risks are described cautiously.
Adverse effects
- Raised heart rate and blood pressure
- Anxiety and insomnia
Notes and cautions
- Redosing potential
- Limited safety data