[1-benzylpiperazine (BZP) and 1-(3-trifluorométhylphényl)pipérazine (TFMPP): emergence of two agents which lead to misuse].

1-benzylpiperazine (BZP) and 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (TFMPP) are psychoactive agents which have become available on the illicit drug market in France since 2006. These compounds are employed for their stimulating, enacting, and "recreational" properties. The combination of BZP and TFMPP enables drug users to reproduce the domaminergic and serotoninergic components of amphetamine derivatives. Intoxication can be life threatening for BZP. This compound has been detected, in association with other psychoactive agents with similar action, in several fatal cases. In addition, there is a potential risk of addiction, confirmed in animal models. The toxicity of TFMPP appears to be weaker with no apparent risk of addiction. There is however a risk of serious psychiatric manifestations and serotoninergic syndrome. There are certain national regulations, but to date no international regulations have been developed for BZP and TFMPP. In the European Union, BZP is now being monitored in compliance with the 10 May 2005 decision of the Commision on information sharing, risk evaluation, and control relative to new psychoactive agents.