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O-PCE
2'-Oxo-PCE
Eticyclidone, N-ethyldeschloroketamine, deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine, 2-Oxo-PCE
O-PCE is a lesser-known novel dissociative of the arylcyclohexylamine class1 that produces dissociative, anesthetic, stimulating, and hallucinogenic effects, speculated to act primarily as an NMDA receptor antagonist.1 Structurally related to other arylcyclohexylamines like MXE and deschloroketamine, it emerged as a contemporary designer drug marketed through online research chemical vendors as a replacement for MXE and other dissociatives.23 It is reportedly habit-forming, and its pharmacological profile remains poorly characterized.1
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Threshold~1 mg
Light1-5 mg
Moderate5-10 mg
Strong10-20 mg
Heavy20+ mg
Avoid frequent redosing; overdose is reported to be relatively easy due to the compound's potency and stimulating nature.
Duration
Onset20-40 minutes
After Effects2-48 hours
Total3-6 hours
Subjective Effects
O-PCE produces a dissociative experience that is notably more stimulating and manic in character than ketamine or deschloroketamine, with a relatively fast onset for an arylcyclohexylamine. Lower doses yield a clear-headed, euphoric dissociation, while higher doses progress into profound detachment from the body and environment, culminating in hole states with immersive internal hallucinations. Its high potency and euphoric, energetic character give it a reputation for encouraging compulsive redosing, and heavy or repeated use is associated with confusion and delusional thinking.
Physical
The body load is light and stimulating rather than sedating, with physical euphoria, pain relief, and a floating bodily lightness giving way to motor control loss and spatial disorientation at higher doses.
Comfortable
Disconnective
Cognitive
The headspace is unusually lucid and energetic for a dissociative at low doses, with mood lift and disinhibition, but memory suppression, time distortion, and delusional or confused thinking emerge as doses climb, up to full ego dissolution during hole states.
Visual
Visual effects are primarily suppressive and disconnective rather than psychedelic, deepening with dose from mild blurring into full detachment from external vision.
Distortions
Auditory
Sounds become muffled and distant as dissociation deepens.
Tactile
Touch and pain perception are progressively dulled, consistent with the compound's anesthetic character.
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
No formal pharmacological studies of O-PCE have been published.4 Based on structure-activity relationship analysis and its structural similarity to other arylcyclohexylamine dissociatives such as ketamine and methoxetamine, O-PCE is thought to produce its effects principally through NMDA receptor antagonism.4 Other neurotransmitter systems may also be involved, though this remains uncharacterized.4
Pharmacokinetics
There have been no studies on the pharmacokinetic profile of O-PCE and the metabolism of O-PCE is unknown.
Metabolitesnone documented yet
Dangerous
Highest riskThese combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
Tolerance
Full Tolerance
Repeated O-PCE use over time can produce tolerance to many effects, so users may need larger amounts to obtain comparable results.
Baseline Reset
1-2 weeks
Half Tolerance
3-7 days
Cross Tolerance
Dissociatives
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
ModerateO-PCE is regarded as moderately addictive and as having high abuse potential, and it can cause psychological dependence in some users. Compulsive redosing is commonly reported, particularly due to its potency and stimulating nature.
Physical
LowCravings and withdrawal effects may occur when a person suddenly stops usage after addiction has developed, though the severity of physical dependence appears less pronounced than the psychological component.
Toxicity
Urinary System
Repeated and excessive use over extended periods may cause bladder and urinary tract problems similar to those seen with ketamine, including urinary frequency, urgency, pressure, pelvic and bladder pain, hematuria, and incontinence; occasional use appears to carry minimal risk.
Psychosis Risk
Mania is listed among potential cognitive effects at higher doses. As with other dissociatives, O-PCE may carry some risk of adverse psychological reactions including delusions and psychosis, particularly at higher doses or in predisposed individuals.
History & Culture
O-PCE emerged as part of the wave of novel arylcyclohexylamine designer drugs that appeared on the online research chemical market following the decline in MXE availability.3 The compound was specifically developed and marketed as a functional replacement…
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Legality
International
O-PCE is not listed under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. It is not listed under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. It is not listed under the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
By Country
Czech RepublicSchedule I (List 4)Citation needed
Classified as a controlled substance under Schedule I (List 4).6 Despite this scheduling, limited exceptions exist for research purposes and restricted therapeutic applications.
JapanIllegal指定薬物
医薬品、医療機器等の品質、有効性及び安全性の確保等に関する法律第二条第十五項に規定する指定薬物及び同法第七十六条の四に規定する医療等の用途を定める省令の一部を改正する省令（平成30年厚生労働省令第109号）1112
O-PCE is a designated drug under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act framework. The 2018 ministerial amendment lists 2-(ethylamino)-2-phenylcyclohexanone and its salts, including O-PCE, as a designated drug; from 1 September 2018, manufacture, importation, sale, possession, use, and related handling of the substance or products containing it are prohibited in principle.
PolandIllegalgrupa VII-NPS
Regulation of the Minister of Health of 17 August 2018 on the list of psychotropic substances, narcotic drugs and new psychoactive substances131415
O-PCE is listed by name as 2-Oxo-PCE (2-(etyloamino)-2-fenylocykloheksan-1-on) in Poland's list of new psychoactive substances and is also within the arylcyclohexylamine-derivative group VII-NPS. Unlawful possession of a new psychoactive substance is punishable by a fine; unlawful commercial distribution is punishable by a fine and imprisonment from six months to eight years under the Act on Counteracting Drug Addiction.
SwedenIllegalHallucinogener
O-PCE is classified as a narcotic in Annex 1 to Sweden's Ordinance (1992:1554) on control of narcotics, as amended by SFS 2023:5. The amendment entered into force on 14 February 2023. Unauthorized possession, use, transfer, and manufacture for misuse are narcotics offences under the Narcotic Drugs (Penal Law) Act (1968:64).
United KingdomIllegalClass B
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2, Part II22
Controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. As an N-alkyl derivative of 2-amino-2-phenylcyclohexanone, it falls under the arylcyclohexylamine generic clause introduced by Statutory Instrument 2013/239,23 which became effective on February 26, 2013. Possession, production, supply, and importation are prohibited.
GermanyRestrictedStoffgruppe 6
Regulated under the Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (New Psychoactive Substances Act) since July 18, 2019.79 Manufacturing and importing for market distribution, administering to others, and commercial trading are criminally punishable offenses.10 Personal possession remains illegal but is not subject to criminal penalties.810
NetherlandsUncontrolledCitation needed
Not currently scheduled under Dutch drug legislation. Available for purchase as a research chemical through legitimate vendors.
SingaporeIllegalClass A
O-PCE is listed as 2-(Ethylamino)-2-phenyl-cyclohexan-1-one, also known as Deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine, in the First Schedule to Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. It has been a Class A controlled drug since 1 May 2021. Trafficking, manufacture, import, export, possession and consumption of the substance are offences under the Act.
References
Source Pages
Citations
- Pelletier R, Le Daré B, Le Bouëdec D, & et al.. (2022). Arylcyclohexylamine Derivatives: Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic, Clinical and Forensic Aspects. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9779550/123
- Wing-Chi Cheng, & Kwok-Leung Dao. (April 2020). The Emergence of Deschloro-N-ethyl-ketamine, a Ketamine Analog, in Drug Seizures and Drug Driving Cases in Hong Kong. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 44(8), 886–895. https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkaa03812
- Magdalene H.Y. Tang, Y.K. Chong, Candace Y. Chan, C.K. Ching, C.K. Lai, Y.K. Li, & Tony W.L. Mak. (September 2018). Cluster of acute poisonings associated with an emerging ketamine analogue, 2-oxo-PCE. Forensic Science International, 290, 238–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.07.01412
- 2-oxo-PCE: ketamine analogue on the streets. Hong Kong Medical Journal = Xianggang Yi Xue Za Zhi, 23(6), 665–6 (December 2017). https://doi.org/10.12809/hkmj177089123
- Nadine Theofel, Philipp Möller, Elke Vejmelka, Kerstin Kastner, Sonja Roscher, Stefan Scholtis, & Michael Tsokos. (March 2019). A Fatal Case Involving N-Ethyldeschloroketamine (2-Oxo-PCE) and Venlafaxine. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 43(2), e2–e6. https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bky0631
- Nařízení vlády č. 463/2013 Sb., o seznamech návykových látek — Příloha č. 4 (Seznam č. 4 psychotropních látek). Česká republika (2013). https://krajta.slv.cz/2013/463/par_1-pism_d-bod_21
- Anlage 1 NpSG — Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz Anlage (Nummer 6: Von Arylcyclohexyl(methyl)amin abgeleitete Verbindungen). Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz (2019). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/anlage_1.html12
- § 3 NpSG — Unerlaubter Umgang mit neuen psychoaktiven Stoffen. Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz (2017). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/__3.html12
- Verordnung zur Änderung der Anlage des Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetzes und von Anlagen des Betäubungsmittelgesetzes. (2019). http://www.bgbl.de/xaver/bgbl/start.xav?startbk=Bundesanzeiger_BGBl&jumpTo=bgbl119s1083.pdf1
- § 4 NpSG. (2019). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/__4.html12
- 医薬品、医療機器等の品質、有効性及び安全性の確保等に関する法律第二条第十五項に規定する指定薬物及び同法第七十六条の四に規定する医療等の用途を定める省令の一部を改正する省令（平成30年厚生労働省令第109号）. mhlw.go.jp (n.d.). https://www.mhlw.go.jp/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/iyakuhin/yakubuturanyou/oshirase/20180822-2.html1
- 医薬品、医療機器等の品質、有効性及び安全性の確保等に関する法律第二条第十五項に規定する指定薬物及び同法第七十六条の四に規定する医療等の用途を定める省令の一部を改正する省令（平成30年厚生労働省令第109号）. mhlw.go.jp (n.d.). https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11120000/001714395.pdf1
- Regulation of the Minister of Health of 17 August 2018 on the list of psychotropic substances, narcotic drugs and new psychoactive substances. eli.gov.pl (n.d.). https://eli.gov.pl/api/acts/DU/2024/1139/text.html1
- Regulation of the Minister of Health of 17 August 2018 on the list of psychotropic substances, narcotic drugs and new psychoactive substances. api.sejm.gov.pl (n.d.). https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2023/1939/text.html1
- Regulation of the Minister of Health of 17 August 2018 on the list of psychotropic substances, narcotic drugs and new psychoactive substances. eli.gov.pl (n.d.). https://eli.gov.pl/api/acts/DU/2024/536/text.html1
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. sso.agc.gov.sg (n.d.). https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/MDA19731
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. cnb.gov.sg (n.d.). https://www.cnb.gov.sg/mediaroom/news/listing-of-13-nps-in-the-first-schedule-to-the-mda/1
- Förordning (2023:5) om ändring i förordningen (1992:1554) om kontroll av narkotika. svenskforfattningssamling.se (n.d.). https://svenskforfattningssamling.se/sites/default/files/sfs/2023-01/SFS2023-5.pdf1
- Förordning (2023:5) om ändring i förordningen (1992:1554) om kontroll av narkotika. riksdagen.se (n.d.). https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/narkotikastrafflag-196864_sfs-1968-64/1
- Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung des EDI, Verzeichnis E. fedlex.admin.ch (n.d.). https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2011/363/de1
- Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien (BetmVV-EDI), Anhang 6 Verzeichnis e, Nummer 208 (Stand 15. Mai 2025). Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern (EDI) (2025). https://fedlex.data.admin.ch/filestore/fedlex.data.admin.ch/eli/cc/2011/363/20250515/de/pdf-a/fedlex-data-admin-ch-eli-cc-2011-363-20250515-de-pdf-a.pdf1
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2, Part II. legislation.gov.uk (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/schedule/21
- The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2013, SI 2013/239 (in force 26 February 2013). UK Government (2013). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/239/made1
Further Reading
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