Cathinones

SAFER USING

Some harm reduction advice relevant to cathinones is similar to the harm reduction advice provided for methamphetamine and MDMA, however little is known about some of the risks.

• Start with a small amount as you don’t know how strong it will be.
• The dosage varies between cathinones, with some being significantly more potent than others. Dosages can also vary between individuals, so it’s important to start at a low dose and wait before redosing. 
• Oral administration is the safest route of administration
• Pentylone is significantly more potent than mephedrone, dipentylone may be as potent or even more potent than pentylone. 
• People who take dipentylone or pentylone thinking it is MDMA, may be at a greatly increased risk of overdose. It is therefore important to test it before you take it and to accurately weigh out your doses.
• If a user takes Eutylone or n-ethylpentylone thinking its MDMA, there is a greater risk of them unknowingly taking a dangerous amount. Because it is a stimulant, high doses can lead to restlessness and insomnia, and eventually psychosis due to lack of sleep.
• Start with a small amount as you don’t know how strong it will be.
• Remember to eat well then wait 20-30 minutes before using.
• Be aware of overheating and try to cool down & chill out regularly.

Remember to keep your fluids up but don’t drink too much – 1 cup of water (250ml) p/h  when resting & up to 500ml p/h when dancing or active.

ORALLY

• Ingesting Oral administration is the safest route of administration. If taken as a ‘parachute” (wrapping a dose in a cigarette paper) the effects take longer to feel and the experience will last longer. You can also break the pills to have lower doses and swallow with water.
• Gumming is another less common way of doing it. A small amount is applied on the inside of the lips or gum. This can damage your gums and lips.

SNORTING

• Crush the powder so there’s no crystals (sparkles can cause little cuts).
• Snort water before and after to avoid damaging the protective lining in your nose 
• Use your own clean straw/spoon for snorting to prevent the risk of infection, ‘Snorter’ warts (HPV), or blood borne virus transmission  (‘BBV’ e.g. hepatitis C) via microscopic amounts of blood
• Do not use money – it is covered in bacteria. 
• Repeated snorting can damage the membranes of the nose leading to possible permanent damage to the septum (the middle bit). It can lead to frequent nosebleeds and runny nose, loss of smell, and problems swallowing
• Switch nostrils regularly and give your nose a break.

SHELVING (dry)/ PLUGGING (wet mix)

• Use lubrication to avoid tearing the skin
• Use a condom or latex/vinyl glove to avoid internal scratches
• Wash your hands before and after using
• Find a discreet and safe place to do it
• Dispose of used condom / glove responsibly.

INJECTING

• Avoid Blood Borne Viruses ‘BBVs’ (eg. Hepatitis C, HIV) by using new & sterile syringes & equipment.
• Use sterile water to mix up.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after, you can also use an alcohol swab to clean your fingertips.
• Alcohol wipes can reduce the risk of skin infections if they are used correctly. For maximum effect, swab once, in one direction on the injection site, and leave to dry naturally.
• Dispose of syringes & equipment responsibly in a yellow disposal bin, all NSPs have bins available.