Acute pharmacological effects of α-PVP in humans: a naturalistic observational study.
Georgina De la Rosa, Esther Papaseit, Olga Hladun, Lourdes Poyatos, Dolly Andrea Caicedo, Martha Catalina Argote, Soraya Martín, Mireia Ventura, Nunzia La Maida, Annagiulia Di Trana, Silvia Graziano, Simona Pichini, Magí Farré, Clara Pérez-mañá
Frontiers in pharmacology January 1, 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1626692
Summary
Even small doses of certain new psychoactive substances can rapidly impact the body. An observational study investigated the acute pharmacology of alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP), a synthetic cathinone, in individuals. Participants self-administered α-PVP, showing swift increases in heart rate and blood pressure, peaking within 40 minutes. Subjective psychostimulant effects, similar to cocaine, and empathogenic properties also emerged quickly, subsiding in hours. This illustrates its potent, fast-acting profile.
Abstract
Alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP) is a commonly consumed analogue of pyrovalerone, a synthetic cathinone with psychostimulant properties similar to those of 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and cocaine. Since the pharmacology of α-PVP remains scarcely studied, we aimed to evaluate the acute pharmacological effects and its abuse potential in humans after intranasal administration. We carried out a non-controlled observational study in a naturalistic environment in nine participants (3 women and six men) with a previous history of psychostimulant use. Participants self-administered a single intranasal dose of 10mg or 20mg of α-PVP. The outcomes included physiological effects (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature) and subjective effects (Evaluation of Subjective Effects of Substances with Abuse Potential questionnaire_VESSPA-SSE, the short form of the Addiction Research Center Inventory questionnaire_ARCI and visual analog scales_VASs) and were measured at different time points (0, 20 and 40 minutes and 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4 and 5 hours). An acute increase in blood pressure and heart rate was observed that peaked 40 minutes after administration. Subjective effects also showed a rapid onset and disappeared 3 to 5 hours after administration. α-PVP showed psychostimulant properties similar to those displayed by cocaine and empathogenic effects commonly associated with MDMA and other cathinones (eg. methylone) consumption.