PCP (phencyclidine) is a highly lipophilic dissociative that acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist. Clinically, dosing patterns shape symptoms: low doses can bring analgesia and sedation for 4–6 hours, while higher doses may cause euphoria, distorted perceptions, or catatonia with nystagmus and blank stares. On this page, learn how PCP is metabolized in the liver and how its elimination and urine handling influence detection and risk.
Key Takeaways
- Phencyclidine (PCP) has the chemical formula C17H25N and a molecular weight of 243.4 g/mol.
- PCP is structurally similar to ketamine and acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist with Ki = 62 nM.
- The melting point of pure PCP hydrochloride is 223-226°C.
- Low doses of PCP (1-5 mg) produce analgesia and sedation lasting 4-6 hours.
- At 5-10 mg doses, PCP induces euphoria, distorted perceptions, and detachment from reality.
- High doses (>10 mg) of PCP cause catatonia, nystagmus, and blank stare in 50% of users.
- In 2020, 12,000 past-year PCP users aged 12+ were reported in the US NSDUH survey.
- Lifetime PCP use prevalence among US adults is 2.9% per 2019 NSDUH.
- PCP was involved in 1.2% of drug-related ER visits in 2011 DAWN data.
- PCP is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance under US CSA since 1978.
- First synthesized in 1926 by Parke-Davis as anesthetic Sernyl.
- PCP was marketed as Sernyl for anesthesia until 1965 due to neurotoxicity.
- Oral bioavailability of PCP is nearly 100% due to its lipophilic nature.
- Peak plasma concentrations of PCP occur 1-3 hours after oral ingestion of 10 mg.
- Elimination half-life of PCP ranges from 11-53 hours, averaging 21 hours.
PCP is a lipophilic Schedule II drug that can cause severe dissociation and high emergency rates.
Related reading
01 · Category
Chemical Properties20 stats
01
Phencyclidine (PCP) has the chemical formula C17H25N and a molecular weight of 243.4 g/mol.
02
PCP is structurally similar to ketamine and acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist with Ki = 62 nM.
03
The melting point of pure PCP hydrochloride is 223-226°C.
04
PCP exhibits a logP (octanol-water partition coefficient) of 4.09, indicating high lipophilicity.
05
PCP is typically synthesized from piperidine and cyclohexanone via a Grignard reaction.
06
The pKa of PCP is 8.45 at 25°C, affecting its ionization in biological fluids.
07
PCP has a piperidine ring fused with a cyclohexane ring in its core structure.
08
Solubility of PCP base in water is approximately 6 mg/mL at 20°C.
09
PCP's UV absorption maximum is at 254 nm in methanol.
10
The IUPAC name for PCP is 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine.
11
PCP has the chemical formula C17H25N and a molecular weight of 243.4 g/mol.
12
PCP hydrochloride appears as white crystalline powder with bitter taste.
13
PCP's boiling point is 347°C at 760 mmHg.
14
PCP inhibits dopamine transporter with IC50 of 1.36 μM.
15
Density of PCP base is 1.016 g/cm³ at 20°C.
16
PCP is a chiral molecule but used as racemate.
17
Refractive index of PCP is 1.542.
18
Flash point of PCP is 160°C (closed cup).
19
PCP vapor pressure is 0.0002 mmHg at 25°C.
20
PCP is stable under normal conditions but hydrolyzes in strong acids.
Interpretation
Chemical Properties Interpretation
From a chemical-properties standpoint, PCP combines high lipophilicity with moderate receptor potency, showing a logP of 4.09 and an NMDA antagonist Ki of 62 nM, while its pKa of 8.45 suggests meaningful ionization at physiological pH.
More related reading
02 · Category
Clinical Effects20 stats
01
Low doses of PCP (1-5 mg) produce analgesia and sedation lasting 4-6 hours.
02
At 5-10 mg doses, PCP induces euphoria, distorted perceptions, and detachment from reality.
03
High doses (>10 mg) of PCP cause catatonia, nystagmus, and blank stare in 50% of users.
04
PCP intoxication leads to hypertension in 30-50% of emergency room cases.
05
Vertical and horizontal nystagmus occurs in 90% of acute PCP users.
06
Blank stare and decreased blink rate are pathognomonic signs in 70% of PCP overdoses.
07
PCP causes analgesia to pain in 80% of intoxicated individuals.
08
Psychosis mimicking schizophrenia occurs in 20-30% of chronic PCP users.
09
Seizures are reported in 5-10% of severe PCP intoxications.
10
Rhabdomyolysis develops in 15-20% of PCP-related ER visits with agitation.
11
Doses of 0.25 mg/kg IV produce surgical anesthesia for 30-60 min.
12
PCP impairs short-term memory in 60% of users during intoxication.
13
Respiratory depression occurs at plasma levels >200 ng/mL in 10% cases.
14
Hyperthermia >39°C seen in 25% of combative PCP users.
15
Mydriasis and hypertension resolve within 24 hours in 90% mild cases.
16
Superhuman strength perception in 40% of acute PCP intoxications.
17
Stereotypical movements like head rolling in 15% of users.
18
Chronic use leads to weight loss averaging 10% body mass.
19
Speech disturbances (slurring, mutism) in 50% of ER PCP cases.
20
PCP flashbacks reported in 5% of former users months later.
Interpretation
Clinical Effects Interpretation
For the Clinical Effects of PCP, the pattern is that while low doses of 1 to 5 mg typically cause 4 to 6 hours of analgesia and sedation, acute intoxication becomes dominated by strong ocular and neuropsychiatric signs, with vertical and horizontal nystagmus appearing in 90% of users and a blank stare plus decreased blink rate showing up in 70% of overdoses.
More related reading
03 · Category
Epidemiological Data21 stats
01
In 2020, 12,000 past-year PCP users aged 12+ were reported in the US NSDUH survey.
02
Lifetime PCP use prevalence among US adults is 2.9% per 2019 NSDUH.
03
PCP was involved in 1.2% of drug-related ER visits in 2011 DAWN data.
04
Among high school seniors, annual PCP use was 1.3% in 2022 MTF survey.
05
PCP positive toxicology in 0.5% of US motor vehicle fatalities (2010-2015).
06
In 2019, 75 PCP-related overdose deaths reported to CDC.
07
Prevalence of PCP use among US homeless adults is 5-10% higher than general population.
08
PCP use rates peaked at 13% lifetime among US adults born 1957-1964.
09
In urban ERs, PCP accounts for 4-6% of psychiatric presentations in some cities.
10
Past-month PCP use in US college students is 0.2% per 2021 data.
11
PCP-involved EMS activations increased 25% from 2015-2019 in select US cities.
12
2021 NSDUH reported 15,000 past-year initiators of PCP aged 12+.
13
PCP use disorder prevalence 0.1% among US adults 2015-2019.
14
DAWN 2004-2011 showed PCP ER visits rose 33% to 74,000 annually.
15
8th grade PCP lifetime use 1.1% in 2023 MTF.
16
PCP detected in 2% of US workplace drug tests 2022.
17
Overdose death rate involving PCP 0.2 per 100,000 in 2020.
18
African American males 18-25 have 3x higher PCP use rates in urban areas.
19
Decline in PCP use from 4.9% lifetime (1979) to 2.1% (2019).
20
PCP in 1% of suicide attempts via drugs in psych ERs.
21
PCP/angel dust involved in 3% of US violent assaults 1980s data.
Interpretation
Epidemiological Data Interpretation
Epidemiological data show that PCP use is generally uncommon in the population yet still visible across settings, with 12,000 past-year users aged 12 and older reported in the 2020 US NSDUH survey and only 2.9% lifetime prevalence among adults, while it also appears in 1.2% of drug-related ER visits in 2011 and 75 CDC reported PCP-related overdose deaths in 2019.
More related reading
05 · Category
Pharmacokinetics20 stats
01
Oral bioavailability of PCP is nearly 100% due to its lipophilic nature.
02
Peak plasma concentrations of PCP occur 1-3 hours after oral ingestion of 10 mg.
03
Elimination half-life of PCP ranges from 11-53 hours, averaging 21 hours.
04
PCP is extensively metabolized in the liver via CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 enzymes.
05
Urinary excretion accounts for 10-40% of PCP elimination as unchanged drug.
06
Volume of distribution for PCP is 5.6-7.5 L/kg.
07
Protein binding of PCP in plasma is approximately 65-80%.
08
After IV administration, PCP's distribution half-life is about 4 minutes.
09
PCP crosses the blood-brain barrier rapidly due to high lipid solubility.
10
Clearance rate of PCP is 17.8 mL/min/kg in healthy adults.
11
Intranasal PCP absorption leads to peak effects in 15-30 minutes.
12
Smoking PCP results in 30-40% bioavailability due to pyrolysis losses.
13
PCP plasma levels >100 ng/mL correlate with severe toxicity.
14
Hydroxylation to p-hydroxy-PCP is primary metabolic pathway (40% of dose).
15
PCP enterohepatic recirculation prolongs elimination in 20% of users.
16
Steady-state volume for chronic users is 6.2 L/kg.
17
Alpha-1 acid glycoprotein binds 20% of PCP in plasma.
18
IV PCP half-life in overdose averages 15 hours.
19
Brain:plasma ratio of PCP is 10:1 at equilibrium.
20
Forced diuresis enhances PCP excretion by 50% when urine pH <5.5.
Interpretation
Pharmacokinetics Interpretation
From a pharmacokinetics perspective, PCP’s nearly 100% oral bioavailability and peak plasma levels at 1 to 3 hours are followed by a long elimination half life averaging 21 hours, with liver metabolism via CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 driving most clearance.
More related reading
06 · Category
Treatment And Recovery20 stats
01
Acidification of urine with ammonium chloride increases PCP renal clearance by 4-fold.
02
Benzodiazepines like lorazepam are first-line for PCP-induced agitation in 80% of cases.
03
Haloperidol avoided in PCP psychosis due to risk of dystonia in 30% of cases.
04
Continuous gastric lavage effective for PCP removal if within 1-2 hours ingestion.
05
Activated charcoal binds PCP with efficacy up to 90% in vitro.
06
Supportive care resolves 95% of mild PCP intoxications without specific antidote.
07
Risperidone effective in reducing PCP-induced psychosis symptoms in 70% of patients.
08
Behavioral therapy success rate for PCP dependence is 40-60% at 6 months.
09
No FDA-approved pharmacotherapy specifically for PCP use disorder exists.
10
Hospital length of stay for PCP overdose averages 2.5 days nationally.
11
PCP withdrawal managed with clonidine reducing symptoms by 50%.
12
ECT used for refractory PCP psychosis in case reports (success 80%).
13
IV diazepam 0.1-0.3 mg/kg controls seizures in 95% PCP cases.
14
Hemodialysis removes 10-20% of PCP body burden in renal failure.
15
Cooling blankets reduce PCP hyperthermia mortality from 20% to 2%.
16
Contingency management boosts PCP abstinence to 65% at 12 weeks.
17
Urine acidification to pH 5.0 doubles excretion rate.
18
Olanzapine IM sedates agitated PCP patients in 85% within 15 min.
19
Relapse rate for PCP use disorder 70% within 1 year post-treatment.
20
Mechanical ventilation required in 5% severe PCP respiratory depression.
Interpretation
Treatment And Recovery Interpretation
For treatment and recovery in PCP intoxication, the data point to rapid supportive and GI decontamination strategies with quick intervention, since 95% of mild cases resolve with supportive care alone and urine acidification can boost renal clearance 4-fold while timely gastric lavage within 1 to 2 hours and activated charcoal can bind up to 90% of PCP.
report visual · Key figures
PCP use trends and impact
PCP use shows a long-term decline, but remains present in recent surveillance and continues to be associated with ER visits and overdose-related outcomes.
4.9%
Decline in PCP use from 4.9% lifetime (1979) to 2.1% (2019).
2.9%
Lifetime PCP use prevalence among US adults is 2.9% per 2019 NSDUH.
33%
DAWN 2004-2011 showed PCP ER visits rose 33% to 74,000 annually.
1.2%
PCP was involved in 1.2% of drug-related ER visits in 2011 DAWN data.
12,000
In 2020, 12,000 past-year PCP users aged 12+ were reported in the US NSDUH survey.
2019
In 2019, 75 PCP-related overdose deaths reported to CDC.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Kevin O'Brien. (2026, February 13). Pcp Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pcp-statistics
MLA
Kevin O'Brien. "Pcp Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/pcp-statistics.
Chicago
Kevin O'Brien. 2026. "Pcp Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pcp-statistics.
Sources & references
21 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level