Paramethoxymethamphetamine and paramethoxyamphetamine (PMMA and PMA) are two so-called designer amphetamines, which appear from time to time on the illegal narcotics market in many countries. They are frequently sold as ecstasy or amphetamine, often mixed with amphetamines, PMA, PMMA, ketamine, NBOMe, methylone or other substances.
This is potentially harmful as PMA and PMMA have more toxic effects (and are less euphoric) than MDMA. It also takes longer to feel these effects, so people may take another pill in the mistaken belief that the first has not worked, sometimes resulting in overdose. PMA and PMMA have been around since the 1970s1 and have been associated with a number of deaths over the years worldwide including in Australia. In 2012 and 2013 there was a spike in deaths directly attributable to PMA or PMMA in England and Wales.