Mephentermine Psychosis: Misuse of the Wyamine Inhaler
B. M. ANGRIST M.D.1,
J. W. SCHWEITZER PH.D.2,
S. GERSHON M.B.B.S., D.P.M.3, , and
A. J. FRIEDHOFF M.D.4
1 Research psychiatrist, department of psychiatry and neurology, New York University Medical Center, 550 First Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016
2 Instructor in experimental psychiatry, department of psychiatry and neurology, New York University Medical Center, 550 First Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016
3 Professors of psychiatry, department of psychiatry and neurology, New York University Medical Center, 550 First Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016, director, neuropsychopharmacology research unit, New York University Medical Center
4 Professors of psychiatry, department of psychiatry and neurology, New York University Medical Center, 550 First Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016
The authors present case reports of three patients with similar pathology in their social, vocational, and sexual adjustment who developed paranoid or paranoid hallucinatory syndromes in conjunction with the abuse of mephentermine from Wyamine inhalers. Their symptomatology appeared clinically identical to amphetamine psychosis or acute paranoid schizophrenia. The authors conclude that, if abused, the Wyamine inhaler is potentially dangerous and that its availability on the market constitutes a loophole in the current regulations governing stimulant drugs.
