Methoxetamine (MXE) can change the way you see or hear things. You may feel disconnected from your body or surroundings.
It can come as a white or yellow powder that people:
- snort in small amounts (bump)
- put under their tongue
- swallow - mixed in a drink or wrapped in cigarette paper (bomb)
MXE can also come as capsules but this is less common.
MXE is related to ketamine. But MXE is sometimes stronger and can cause more negative effects on mental health.
Drug category: dissociative
Dissociatives can make you feel disconnected from your body or surroundings. They can also change the way you see or hear things.
Other names for MXE
Other names include: mexXY, m-ket, moxy, rhino ket
Effects of MXE
The effects of MXE can vary depending on:
- your size, weight and sex
- if you have any health conditions or mental health difficulties
- how you take the drug
- the strength of the drug
- how much you take
- if you take alcohol, medicines or other drugs at the same time
- where you take the drug and how you feel before you take it
- if you have taken the drug before and how often
If you swallow MXE, the effects can take up to 90 minutes to start. The effects can last hours.
We are still learning about the effects of MXE. This is because it is newer than other drugs.
How you may feel or behave
You may feel:
- intense wellbeing and happiness (euphoria)
- calm or relaxed
- anxious or paranoid
- confused
- disconnected from your body
- disconnected from your body and surroundings
- connected with other people (empathetic)
- agitated or restless
Effects on your brain and body
MXE can cause:
- dizziness
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting (getting sick)
- increased heart rate and blood pressure
- hallucinations - you may see, feel or hear things that are not there
- problems with balance and coordination - this can lead to accidents or injuries
- problems speaking
- eye jitters
- heart problems - if you use it often
- problems with thinking and memory - if you use it often
We do not know the long-term effects of MXE. But it works in a similar way to ketamine. This means it could cause bladder problems over time.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if
you use MXE and often have bladder problems such as:
- tummy pain
- problems peeing
- changes to when or how often you pee
- unintentional peeing (urinary incontinence)
- blood in your pee
It's best to tell them about your MXE use. It will help them to recommend the right treatment.
MXE and mental health
MXE can cause mental health difficulties or make existing difficulties worse.
Negative effects include:
- frightening or challenging hallucinations
- intense anxiety and confusion
- fear and paranoia
- thoughts of suicide
- psychosis - you have confused thoughts, feelings and behaviour and you do not know what is real or not real
This can happen if you are going through a tough time or feel low. But the risk of severe effects is higher if you or someone in your family has mental health difficulties.
It may help to talk to someone if you have a challenging experience with MXE.
Comedowns
A comedown is how you feel as the drug leaves your system.
Comedowns from MXE may last a few days and cause:
- problems with thinking and memory
- irritability and restlessness
- problems with coordination
- aches and pains
- low mood
- thoughts of suicide
- problems sleeping
MXE and dependency
Regular use of MXE may cause:
- tolerance - when you need to take more of the drug to get the same effects
- dependency
Signs of dependency can include:
- cravings for a drug
- withdrawal symptoms
- continuing to use a drug even when it causes you harm
How long does MXE stay in your system?
It can be hard to know how long MXE stays in your system.
There are tests to detect MXE. But different types of tests have different detection times.
Things that affect how long a drug stays in your system
The time it takes for a drug to leave your system depends on many things.
For example:
- how much you took
- how often you take the drug
- how strong the drug was
- your age, sex and metabolism
- your general health
Reducing risks from MXE
It’s always safest not to take drugs. MXE works in a similar way to ketamine. But it may be stronger or take longer for the effects to start. It is important to use lower doses than you would for ketamine.
There are ways to reduce the risk of harm if you use MXE. Select a piece of advice to find out more.
Consider if there is extra risk for you - such as health conditions or how you feel.
There are always risks if you use drugs. But some people may be more at risk than others.
If you or someone in your family has any health conditions or mental health difficulties, you may be more at risk of a drug emergency.
It can be hard to know your level of risk. Some people have health conditions and do not know it.
If you feel low, anxious or stressed, you are more at risk of a negative or challenging experience.
Be with people you trust and look out for each other - do not use alone.
Pick a meeting point and know what to do in case of an emergency.
Consider other ways of using if you put pills or powders in drinks.
Putting crushed pills or powders in drinks increases the risk of taking too much too soon. There is also a risk that someone else could drink them by mistake. Crush and dab a small amount of powder instead.
If you put powders in drinks, use a very small amount and check that the powder dissolves.
Start with a small amount and wait 2 hours before you take more.
This is to reduce the risk of an overdose or drug emergency.
The contents or strength of drugs can vary, even in the same batch.
If you start with a small amount, you can:
- see how you react
- stop if you get an effect you did not expect or do not want
It can take up to 2 hours for some effects to happen. If you take too much too soon, it increases your risk.
Only use 1 substance at a time.
Using MXE with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects. Mixing drugs is always more risky.
Stay in a safe place away from risks such as heights, roads or water.
This is to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. MXE can affect your control of your body and make you less aware of your surroundings.
Think about your sexual health.
MXE can reduce your inhibitions and make you feel connected with other people.
There are things you can do to look after yourself and your partners if you could have sex when you take drugs.
Plan a safe way to get home.
It is dangerous to drive if drugs are in your system. You could harm yourself or other people. A drug can still be in your system even if you do not feel the effects.
Keep track of what you use.
Take breaks between use to reduce your risk of tolerance.
Make sure you get enough food and rest.
Sleep on your side after using.
This is to reduce the risk of choking on your vomit.
MXE can make you:
- get sick (vomit)
- feel drowsy or lose consciousness
If you are with someone who took MXE, put them on their side.
Use safe ways to cope with cramps.
To relieve bladder pain and cramps you can:
- do gentle stretches
- go for a slow walk
- drink water in small sips
- use a heat pack instead of a bath
MXE can make you drowsy and tired. There is a risk of drowning if you take a bath too soon after using MXE.
Avoid taking more MXE, other drugs or putting someone in a bath.
Know what to do in case of a challenging experience.
If you know what to do during a challenging experience, it could stop a situation getting worse and help you support someone.
But it is always safest to get medical advice if someone has overwhelming or unexpected effects.
Know what to do in case of a drug emergency.
If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:
- signs of a drug emergency, including signs related to mental health
- what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies
An overdose can be a life-threatening condition. It happens when someone has too much of a drug or another substance in their system.
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.
Mixing MXE with alcohol or other drugs
You can never be fully sure of the contents of drugs. Using MXE with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects.
There is a higher risk of negative effects if you mix MXE with drugs that have similar effects.
For example:
- severe vomiting - if you take it with alcohol or antihistamines
- an overwhelming or challenging experience - if you take it with drugs that cause hallucinations such as cannabis or 2CB
- severe strain on your body - if you take it with drugs that speed up messages between your brain and body such as cocaine or MDMA
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if
you or someone else has taken MXE and has:
- severe nausea or vomiting
- an irregular heartbeat
- lost consciousness - put them on their side or in the recovery position
- severe distress, confusion or panic - they cannot calm down and may be a risk to themselves or others
- problems breathing
- thoughts of suicide
Stay with the person until help arrives.
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them any leftover drug if possible. It will help them decide the right treatment.
If you are worried about MXE use
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can get support. This can be when MXE use affects your health, relationships, work or other areas of your life.
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie