Self-defenestration associated with 3-MeO-PCE ingestion

06/09/2026

AI Summary

Fatal fall after 5.8 m linked to 3-MeO-PCE use; trauma was immediate cause but drug related behavioural effects may have contributed.
Peripheral blood concentrations: 3-MeO-PCE 80 µg/L, 3-HO-PCE 13 µg/L, tramadol 674 µg/L, ethanol 0.18 g/L.
Case documents acute agitation or dissociation without psychiatric history and expands scarce forensic literature on 3-MeO-PCE concentrations and risks.

AI Summary

Arylcyclohexylamines, derivatives of phencyclidine (PCP) that act as potent N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, produce profound dissociative and psychotomimetic effects. 3-Methoxyeticyclidine (3-MeO-PCE), an analog of eticyclidine, has recently appeared on the recreational drug market, yet information on its pharmacology, metabolism, and toxicity are scarce, and only one postmortem blood concentration has been reported to date.

Toxicological analysis of peripheral blood identified 3-MeO-PCE (80 µg/L), its metabolite 3-HO-PCE (13 µg/L), tramadol (674 µg/L), and ethanol (0.18 g/L).

CONCLUSION: Although trauma was the immediate cause of death, the behavioral effects of 3-MeO-PCE-possibly potentiated by tramadol and alcohol-may have contributed to the manner of death.

Basic summary

Int J Legal Med. 2026 Sep 5. doi: 10.1007/s00414-026-03993-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: New psychoactive substances (NPS) continue to proliferate worldwide, and the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of many remain poorly characterized. Arylcyclohexylamines, derivatives of phencyclidine (PCP) that act as potent N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, produce profound dissociative and psychotomimetic effects. 3-Methoxyeticyclidine (3-MeO-PCE), an analog of eticyclidine, has recently appeared on the recreational drug market, yet information on its pharmacology, metabolism, and toxicity are scarce, and only one postmortem blood concentration has been reported to date.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report the death of a 33-year-old man found beneath his apartment window after a fall of 5.8 m. Autopsy confirmed death from multiple traumatic injuries consistent with a fall from height. Toxicological analysis of peripheral blood identified 3-MeO-PCE (80 µg/L), its metabolite 3-HO-PCE (13 µg/L), tramadol (674 µg/L), and ethanol (0.18 g/L).

CONCLUSION: Although trauma was the immediate cause of death, the behavioral effects of 3-MeO-PCE-possibly potentiated by tramadol and alcohol-may have contributed to the manner of death. The disordered state of the apartment, together with the absence of any psychiatric history or suicidal indicators, is compatible with acute agitation or dissociation induced by substance use. This case highlights the potential for serious behavioral disturbances associated with 3-MeO-PCE and adds a new peripheral blood concentration to the limited forensic literature on this compound.

PMID:42698019 | DOI:10.1007/s00414-026-03993-w

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