Doctors give warning over illegal clubbers’ drug

A new psychoactive substance, formerly known as a legal high, can cause serious damage to clubbers who continue to use the outlawed drug. Doctors warn that the damage can include hair falling out and even blindness.

The drug they warned about is MT-45. It was first developed in the 1970s for use as a painkiller but has since been categorised as a Class A drug. Anyone using MT-45 is taking a considerable risk. Some users have had to undergo cataract surgery in both eyes. Researchers have discovered that MT-45 can be bought online, albeit illegally, from at least 17 different online suppliers.

Matthew Gass, of The British Association of Dermatologists’, said that doctors have seen, “a number of similar, serious, adverse reactions to the drug, some clinically proven and some anecdotal. This suggests that MT-45 is either itself profoundly toxic, or that there is a problem in the MT-45 supply chain that is causing this complex and unusual combination of symptoms. Either way, it is important that patients and healthcare professionals are aware of the potential for MT-45 to leave users blind, bald and covered in painful skin complaints.” He urges anyone considering taking the drug to think again.

A new study revealed that three Swedish men, all below the age of 25, took MT-45 and suffered identical symptoms – these included the loss of their hair and painful rashes over their bodies. Another two men, who bought the drug online, suffered severe loss of vision during the following year.