Phencyclidine (PCP)

Phencyclidine is similar to ketamine in its structure and effects and is a potent analgesic and anesthetic. It is no longer used in anesthesia because of its serious dissociative effects ^{(NIH 2023)}(hallucinations, postoperative psychosis). As a drug of abuse (PCP or Angel Dust), it is a potent hallucinogen taken orally, snorted, injected or smoked.

PCP is highly lipophilic and is stored in adipose tissue for months. It is excreted in breast milk. Levels (3.9 mcg/L) were measured in breast milk more than 40 days after the last consumption. ^{(Kaufman 1983)}

Concentrations of between 12 and 118 mcg/L have been found in drug users with drug effects, and between 50 and 3,700 mcg/L in comatose patients following overdose. Tablets contain 3-5 mg and cigarettes 5-50 mg.

Side effects are frequent and very serious (psychosis, vomiting, convulsions, hypertension, rhabdomyolysis, respiratory depression...).

It is known from Pharmacokinetics that after 5 elimination half-lives (T½), 96.9% of an ingested substance is eliminated from the body and after 7 T½ the plasma concentrations of the substance are negligible and would constitute the safe waiting period to return to breastfeeding after having taken phencyclidine.

Taking as reference the longest published T½ (51 h), these 7 T½ would correspond to 15 days. Meanwhile, breast milk must be expressed and discarded regularly.

Drug abuse turns the mother unable to take care of the infant properly and poses a threat for health of both the mother and the child.

It is not recommended to share a bed with the baby if you are taking this drug.

Similar phencyclidine analogues are:

• PHP (rolicyclidine; 1-(1-(1-(1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)pyrrolidine).
• PCC (1-piperidinocyclohexanecylcarbonitrile).
• PCE ( N-ethyl-1-phenyl-1-phenylcyclohexylamine)
• TCP (1-[1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine)

There is no scientific evidence on the benefits and risks of microdosing of psychedelic/disociative drugs. ^{(NIH 2023, Kaypak 2022, de Wit 2022, Szigeti 2021, Lea 2020, Kuypers 2019)}